Each year, the World Water Day reminds us of the fundamental importance of water to life, economies, and ecosystems. Yet one critical dimension often remains underexplored in water discourse: gender. In 2026, World Water Day brings this issue to the forefront.
If we are serious about building resilient water systems, we must move beyond treating water as gender-neutral, and confront how gender concretely shapes water use, innovation, and governance.
Too often, discussions around gender in the water sector remain broad or symbolic. In reality, the impact of gender is tangible and measurable. At Water Europe, the vision of a Water-Smart Society is grounded in the understanding that water is not only a resource, but also a driver of sustainability, resilience, and economic value. Achieving this vision requires inclusivity to be embedded across the entire water value chain.
A Water-Smart Society demands solutions that reflect the needs of all users. This means moving beyond default models and integrating diversity into how we design infrastructure, develop technologies, and shape policies. Gender influences every stage of the water value chain:
-Workforce and skills
-Research and innovation
-Governance and participation
-Business and market development
The transition to a Water-Smart Society requires a transformation of skills. Water Europe has consistently highlighted the importance of building a future-proof water workforce.
Gabrielle Knufman, Director at Wateropleidingen, CEO of the World Water Academy, and Special Advisor to the Water Europe Expert Group on Skills and Resources, comments on this: “A future-ready water workforce needs diversity in talent, perspective, and opportunity. Gender inclusion helps strengthen skills, widen career pathways, and bring new leadership into our sector. If we want real innovation in water, we need everyone to have the chance to contribute and grow.”
Within Water Europe’s research and innovation agenda, integrating gender perspectives leads directly to better research outcomes and stronger innovation uptake. This includes designing research that reflects diverse user realities and developing technologies that are adaptable to different social contexts. Whether in digital water, water reuse, or nature-based solutions, considering gender enhances both technical performance and societal acceptance, two key pillars of innovation success.
As Jan Hofman, Professor of Water Science and Engineering at the University of Bath and Water Europe Board Member highlights: “A well-balanced and inclusive gender profile supports an open, creative, and productive research and innovation culture. In this way, R&I projects lead to better and more innovative solutions for a Water-Smart Society, covering all dimensions of technology, governance, implementation, and affordability.”
Yet research and innovation alone are not enough. Inclusive governance is essential for effective water management. Ensuring that diverse voices, including women and underrepresented groups, are part of decision-making processes leads to more equitable and sustainable outcomes.
Luzette Kroon, Chair of the Dutch Water Authorities Fryslân and Chair of the WE Community of Practice ‘Water-Smart River Basins’ emphasizes: “Empowering women’s leadership and decision-making in water management not only contributes to a broader range of perspectives and solutions, but also improves the overall quality of those outcomes. The value of water across all levels of society and the economy is more fully recognized through a gender-inclusive perspective. I call on women to take a firm position in water matters, and on men to embrace inclusive governance as a way to achieve better outcomes.”
There is also a clear business dimension. For water-related industries and utilities, integrating gender is increasingly aligned with strategic priorities and market expectations. A gender-responsive approach improves how products and services are designed, ensuring they better reflect user needs.
Arthur Valkieser, Founder Hydraloop International and Water Europe Board Member explains: “Water solutions only work if they truly meet the needs of the people using them. In many situations, that means understanding the role of women, who are often the primary users. If you get that right, you achieve better adoption and stronger business outcomes. It ultimately comes down to practical, scalable solutions, supported by sound policy.”
On this World Water Day, the message is clear: water challenges are complex, interconnected, and human-centred. Addressing them effectively requires embracing diversity as a driver of innovation and impact. A Water-Smart Society is, by definition, an inclusive one.
