Research and Innovation

As a key pathway for development innovation and to inform policy-making and program delivery, research was an important element of Water for Women. 

Water for Women aimed to raise the bar in terms of gender and socially inclusive research, analysis, design and program delivery in WASH, and in doing so to lead practice globally. 

How?

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) delivered gender and socially inclusive WASH projects, these were also inter-linked with other critical development issues such as water resources management (WRM), climate change adaptation (CCA), disaster risk reduction (DRR) and nutrition. 

Supplementing the CSO projects were the WASH Research Projects. By including research within Water for Women, we contributed to the Water for Women goals and outcomes, in particular:

Outcome 4: Create evidence-based innovation, practice and policy change towards socially inclusive WASH systems at a national and international level.

By documenting and sharing gender and socially inclusive evidence and effective practices with other CSOs and, national and international sector actors, Water for Women contributed strongly to this outcome. 

Why Research?

Research is a key pathway for development innovation and to inform policymaking and program delivery. Investments in research facilitate access to diverse partnerships and networks, contributing to Australia's aid policy and wider diplomatic engagement in partner countries. 

Providing access to high-quality research and analysis that addressed key WASH sector gaps assisted and will continue to assist partner governments, private sector and civil society to improve access to these essential services. 

In short, research assists in developing better, more sustainable outcomes in WASH delivery.