Water for Women talks transformative WASH at Asia Water Forum 2022

“Change begins with oneself and one’s own organisation” said Water for Women’s Fund Manager, Dr. Alison baker, during her presentation at the 2022 Asia Water Forum. Dr. Baker spoke of Water for Women’s experience in using water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as an entry point for transforming the lives of women and other marginalised groups during her presentation on ‘Transforming WASH services for a more equitable, inclusive and resilient future.’

Dr. Baker shared Water for Women and The Sanitation Learning Hub’s GESI Self-Assessment Tool, a practical self-monitoring and reflection tool for organisations to consider its current strengths and ways to improve processes to better influence and drive positive change in gender, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI).

Dr. Baker highlighted the need to invest in processes, resources, capacities, knowledge and structures that are purposeful and build long term equity and resilience in communities. This is one key aspect of the many opportunities and challenges of strengthening inclusive and resilient water security and WASH for all in the Asia Pacific region.

The Asia Water Forum (AWF) 2022 took place virtually on 8-11 August 2022 under the theme "Toward a Resilient and Water-Secure Asia and the Pacific.  Underpinned by the need for climate change resilience, sustainable water management, reliable water services, and water security, shaped around four key focus areas: (i) water as a sustainable resource; (ii) universal water and sanitation services; (iii) productive water in agriculture and the economy; and (iv) climate change and water-related risks.

The AWF also covered crosscutting themes of: (i) embracing environmental sustainability and circular economy; (ii) improving governance and catalyzing finance; (iii) promoting inclusiveness and gender equality; (iv) building resilience and adaptive capacity; and (v) fostering innovation and technological advancement.

Asia and the Pacific must greatly expand its efforts to address water security and resilience needs, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Managing Director General Woochong Um told participants during the opening plenary session.

“Since the last Asia Water Forum held in 2018, our challenges have compounded,” Mr. Um said. “The world has suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic; we are now facing a food security crisis; and the impacts of climate change—importantly those felt through water—are becoming increasingly apparent. These realities have underscored the need to quadruple our efforts to address water security and resilience needs.”

Demand for food and energy is continuing to rise in line with population growth and economic development. In Asia and the Pacific, 500 million people lack access to a basic water supply and 1.14 billion people lack access to sanitation. In recent years, the region has experienced increasing frequency and severity of water-related disasters, including flood and droughts.

This year, the AWF provided a platform and venue for sharing knowledge and experience on water information, innovation, and technology across the region. Water for Women was pleased to be part of the discussion on ways to identify and adopt innovations that best address the requirements for a resilient and water-secure Asia and the Pacific, and to keep the profile of inclusive water and WASH high on the region's development agenda.