Celebrating seven years of Water for Women

'Interconnected Waters' by Merinda Walters. An homage to WASH, the Asia-Pacific region where Water for Women delivered and value of the people, cultures and traditional knowledge that are a crucial part of finding solutions to the challenges we face. Artist's statement below.  

Water for Women has come to an end. You can read all about our program's direct reach and ripple effects in our Impact Report and delve into the outcomes of specific WASH projects and research below. You can also follow our progress throughout the seven year life of Water for Women.

WASH Projects

Delivered 2018 - 24

Delivered 2018 - 22

Habitat for Humanity in Fiji
Strengthening community resilience and inclusion through Improved WASH services in Fiji

Thrive Networks / East meets West
Women-led Output Based Aid (WOBA) Vietnam

WaterAid
Myanmar Humanitarian WASH Project

World Vision Bangladesh
SHOMOTA - Strengthening gender equality and social inclusion in WASH in Bangladesh

Research Projects

2023-24

International WaterCentre at Griffith University

• Supporting decentralised rural water supply in Pacific islands: formal and informal networks to support Pacific Rural Water Committee engagement with water resources management for climate resilient WASH outcomes
• Inclusive urban WASH in Melanesia Pacific – influencing and strengthening systems for climate-resilient WASH in urban underserved settlements

International Water Management Institute

• Addressing Climate Vulnerability in Nepal through Resilient Inclusive WASH systems (RES-WASH)

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

• Inclusive pathways towards climate-resilient WASH in Bangladesh

The University of Technology, Sydney - Institute for Sustainable Futures

• Strengthening water resources management planning systems for inclusive climate resilient WASH services in Cambodia
• Resilience in a Changing Climate: Advancing Research on Groundwater for Equity (RECHARGE)
• CIRCLE WASH: Circularity for Climate-resilient and Equitable WASH

2018-22

International WaterCentre at Griffith University

• Progressing inclusive, resilient and sustainable SDG6 and WASH outcomes in rural Pacific: approaches to enable effective community-based water management
• Engaging corporate actors for inclusive WASH services in workplaces and host communities
• Promoting safe child faeces management: behaviour change interventions that leverage local ways of knowing and address inequitable WASH gender roles in Solomon Islands
• Supporting urban food security and livelihoods through improving WASH outcomes for protection against COVID19 in markets and food /agricultural chains: WASH, foodways, markets, women and COVID-19 in Vanuatu

International Water Management Institute

• A gender perspective to understand and enhance the functionality of water supply systems: lessons from Nepal

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

• Translating disability inclusive WASH policies into practice: lessons learned from Cambodia and Bangladesh
• Changing Hygiene Around Maternal Priorities (CHAMP)

Monash University and Emory University

• Gender and Socially Inclusive Co-design of Water-Sensitive Communities

The University of Technology, Sydney - Institute for Sustainable Futures

• Gender transformative social accountability for inclusive WASH
• Gender equality and women's empowerment in WASH: strengthening civil society partnerships, workforce development and impact measurement
• Supporting CSOs to assess climate change impacts and improve the service, gender and social inclusion outcomes of WASH programs
• Transitioning to safely-managed water services in self-supply contexts: Risks and opportunities for vulnerable populations in urban Indonesia and climate-affected Vanuatu

Artist's Statement

"Interconnected Waters" is a visual exploration of the profound and intricate relationships between water, community, and the environment. This piece is a tapestry of blue patterns and symbols, each element meticulously crafted to represent the various facets of our world's water and knowledge systems and their significance to human life.

Within the artwork are key features which serve as a narrative guide, highlighting key themes of the Water for Women program including representation of primary water sources utilised by communities across the Asia Pacific region. There are a number of meeting place symbols scattered around the work to illustrate the social and cultural importance of water and “both ways knowledge” - modern science and traditional cultural knowledge - in bringing people, ideas and solutions together. At the heart of the artwork are two handprints - an homage to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) underscoring the critical role of clean and inclusive WASH in health, wellbeing and strengthening resilience. Circular, connected icons throughout the piece reflect the varied and disproportionate ways in which communities and people are affected by climate change and their capacity to be part of the solutions.

This artwork recognises that knowledge is shared in many different ways. It is not just a visual representation but a call to action, urging viewers to recognise the interconnectedness of water, community, knowledge and the environment and the importance of collective efforts in preserving and managing these systems. Through "Interconnected Waters," I aim to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of the essential role water security and WASH plays in our lives and the urgent need for sustainable practices to protect it and provide for those currently left behind and future generations.

About the Artist

Merinda Walters is an environmental scientist and Indigenous artist living in Cairns, Australia. As a proud Kamilaroi Yinarr (Aboriginal Woman), Merinda's passion for art and the environment was ignited early on by her rich cultural heritage and the natural beauty of her surroundings. Her love for science deeply influences her artwork, as she uses her understanding of climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability to create pieces that reflect the urgent need for conservation. Conversely, her art inspires her scientific work, providing a creative outlet that fuels her dedication to protecting the environment and advocating for Indigenous rights. Merinda stands as a proud woman in STEM, breaking barriers and inspiring others through her achievements. She strives to inspire others to pursue their passions and make a positive impact on the world, both through art and science.