Stakeholders have stressed the need to adopt gender-responsive water governance in Pakistan to address the serious challenges posed by climate change.
The participants of the dialogue titled “Women and Water” noted that women often carry the main responsibility for managing household water needs and caregiving duties. Yet, they have limited representation in water policy development, planning, and decision-making forums.
Women in Struggle for Empowerment (WISE), in partnership with SheherSaaz and the University of Home Economics, Lahore, arranged the event to highlight the unequal impact of water insecurity and climate change on women and advocate for gender-responsive water governance in Pakistan.
Addressing the gathering, University of Home Economics Vice Chancellor Dr Prof. Zaib-un-Nisa highlighted critical concerns including water contamination, plastic pollution, scientific treatment methods, and sustainable purification solutions. She stressed the need for increased investment in modern water management systems, rainwater harvesting, household storage facilities, recycling technologies, and university-driven awareness initiatives to encourage responsible water consumption.
WISE Executive Director Bushra Khaliq said water insecurity must be examined from a gender perspective, as women and girls frequently face the greatest consequences of water shortages. She emphasised the importance of cooperation among government institutions, academia, civil society organisations, and local communities to develop practical and sustainable solutions. She called for ensuring women’s voices, experiences, and leadership are incorporated into water governance structures from local levels to national policymaking.
Dr Iram Rubab, Head of the Sociology Department at the University of Home Economics, described water as a multidimensional issue linked to social development, agriculture, public health, household welfare, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. She encouraged greater interdisciplinary collaboration and said adopting a gender-based approach helps identify more effective responses to water-related challenges.
SheherSaaz Executive Director Almas Shakoor highlighted the organisation’s work since 1998 in areas including urban planning, climate adaptation, rainwater harvesting, urban forestry, school safety, solar energy, disaster preparedness, and sustainable urban development. She also shared details of ongoing projects focused on household rainwater storage, urban farming, women-led agriculture, and water conservation.
Speakers at the dialogue underscored that inadequate access to safe water and sanitation exposes women and girls to serious health risks, increased unpaid care responsibilities, interruptions in education, and economic hardships. They also pointed out that domestic workers, residents of informal settlements, rural women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups are among those most affected by unequal water access.
The participants called on federal, provincial, and local governments to introduce gender-sensitive water policies and ensure women’s meaningful participation in water management institutions. They stressed the need to strengthen local governance systems, develop climate-resilient water infrastructure, reduce pollution of water resources, and promote sustainable conservation practices.
The dialogue also highlighted the importance of gender-based data collection, public awareness campaigns on water conservation, and placing women, girls, and marginalised communities at the heart of climate adaptation and resilience efforts.
