It has been heartening to celebrate an increasing number of women leaders in the water sector – the new Minister of Water and Sanitation – Pemmy Majodina being one of many.

The month of August is used to commemorate women, and remember the 1956 Women’s March, where women of our country, coming from all corners of the country and united in their diversity, marched on the Union Buildings to demand an end to a system that undermined their dignity and rights as citizens equal to their male counterparts.

These women placed their lives at risks against a system known for its brutality and zero-tolerance to dissent in order to guarantee that any future government would be founded on the principles of human rights and equality, would appreciate and respect the role women could play in national unity and development.

It is absolutely critical that women play a leading role in water management, particularly because it is women and girls that are responsible for collecting water in 80% of households without access to water on premises. This task can take several hours each day, limiting their opportunities for education, employment, and participation in community activities. Moreover, inadequate access to clean water and sanitation disproportionately affects women, leading to health issues, increased vulnerability, and social marginalisation. Achieving SDG 6 is closely linked to gender equality in the water sector.

WISA has an empowerment platform – Women in Water – that provides opportunities for women in the water sector to network in social and professional environments. The platforms aim to encourage women to be more active in the water sector, facilitate greater community involvement in water management, encourage public and private organisations to promote a greater role of women in water sector related activities, to encourage young women and girls to follow water careers and to promote innovative and sustainable solutions to water management.

They recently hosted a successful webinar entitled: “Navigating Your Career Path for Success (Aspirations and Transitions).” If you want to join this empowerment platform, we encourage you to contact Ntuthuko at ps.admin@wisa.org.za.

Women’s leadership in water management leads to more effective and inclusive solutions, benefiting entire communities and ensuring that no one is left behind. As the world works toward sustainable water and sanitation for all, the role of women in leadership must be recognised and promoted as a key driver of success. Women deserve more that a month of recognition, let us work everyday to fully harness the potential of women in the water sector and make a concerted effort to increase their representation in leadership positions.

By Dr. Lester Goldman, CEO, WISA