The discussion began with a brief historical overview of the inclusion of gender perspectives in water policies at the international level, starting from 1975 with the World Conference on the International Women's Year in Mexico City, and continuing with the importance of the 2030 Agenda, which includes concrete goals for advancing both gender equality (SDG 5) and access to clean and safe water and sanitation (SDG 6).
Regarding the current situation in Latin America and the Caribbean, Ms. Saravia highlighted the lack of access to potable water and sanitation as a critical issue. Approximately 25% of the population in the region lacks access to safely managed drinking water, and 51% do not have access to safe sanitation. This gap has significant adverse effects on women and girls, exposing them to security risks, diseases, and obstacles to accessing education. The lack of adequate facilities particularly affects women in rural areas and those with lower levels of education, hindering their participation in community life and their economic autonomy. Additionally, Ms. Saravia emphasized the unequal burden of domestic work faced by women, who spend 2.8 hours on unpaid work for every hour spent by men. Limited access to water also affects women's ability to participate actively in decision-making and contributes to food insecurity in rural communities. The statistics highlight the urgent need to integrate a gender perspective into water and sanitation management to improve the quality of life for women and girls in the region. This approach not only promotes equity but also has the potential to enhance the region's economic growth.
Ms. Silvia Saravia Matus explored the importance of gender-responsive water policies in governance and the participation of women in water management. She emphasized that such policies are essential to promoting greater inclusion and equity. Within the framework of the Regional Water Dialogues for Latin America and the Caribbean, the need to close investment gaps to reduce the disproportionate impact on women and girls was underscored. She stressed that incorporating a gender perspective into public policies not only improves the effectiveness of investment initiatives but also prevents issues like poor infrastructure placement. She cited the example of bathrooms in rural areas of Bolivia, where a lack of consultation with women led to facilities that were unusable due to their design.
Ms. Saravia also addressed persistent challenges, such as the insufficient investment in policies that truly close existing gaps. Despite efforts, current policies often do not align with the real needs of women and fail to effectively address the lack of access to potable water and sanitation. She also noted that many gender-responsive agricultural policies often do not include specific technical training for women, perpetuating inequality. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of having sex-disaggregated data for more effective intervention in public policies related to water. These data enable more precise planning and proper monitoring, facilitating the allocation of budgets that promote gender equity. She also delved into the need for inclusive education and training for both women and men, with the goal of fostering a culture of equity in society. The diversity of women, including rural, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant women, must be considered in order to design policies that address the specific needs of each group and promote a culture of dignity and equity. This comprehensive vision is essential to closing gender gaps and ensuring sustainable development in the region.
The event concluded with special thanks to the organizers and the community for creating such necessary spaces for reflection on gender equity and water management in the international arena. Such dialogues are fundamental for continuing progress toward inclusive and sustainable water management.
