Gender equality and youth development in the Water Sector are critical components of our society and central in advancing equality and equity. This is according to the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane.

Speaking at the inaugural Gender, Water and Development conference in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, the minister said efforts geared towards improving the management of water as a scarce resource and extending access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation often overshadowed the central role of women in water management.

“Women are under-represented in the ‘water sector’, women are lagging behind and this conference must assist with identifying gaps and help put women in the forefront of this sector.”

The minister noted that women and youth in South Africa have both contributed immensely to the fight against apartheid and shaping the country.

“Water is life and sanitation is dignity, the involvement of women in the sector is therefore important in accumulating considerable knowledge about water resources management, including water consumption, conservation, quality and storage methods,” she added.

The minister explained that the department’s annual Women in Water Awards have helped to involve and encourage women to come up with new innovative means to help save water. However it was up to the conference to come up with clear game changers that will take women a step further in the sector.

“…women should be the developers and implementers of water, of new technologies and innovation.”

Minister Mokonyane said it was easy to draft global goals, but difficult to implement them, especially when financial flows are stressed.

“Because of the all-encompassing role of water within development, there is no way to break the vicious cycle of poverty unless we invest in water resources’ development and management of uncertainty and risk, along with water and sanitation access.

“An enormous challenge lies ahead of us – such as ensuring that we build and sustain partnerships across borders and gender stereotypes as well as the development of a shared vision on water resource management and conservation.”

The conference will in various sessions be deliberating on a number of issues that hinge on the essence of gender and development in the water sector.

These will, include issues such as policy, legislation and human rights. It will also focus on gender mainstreaming in African Water Policies and Strategies, especially, as to how far the country has come.

The week-long conference is being held at the International Convention Centre in East London.