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… Urges Inclusive Infrastructure
From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
The Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) has emphasized the critical link between water access and gender equality as the world marks World Water Day 2026, calling for deliberate efforts to ensure equitable and inclusive water services.
In a press statement issued to commemorate the March 22 observance themed “Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” the association felicitated Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, while extending goodwill to global partners and stakeholders.
AWDROP President, Ipoola Ajani Okunlola, said this year’s theme highlights the deep connection between access to water and the empowerment of women and marginalized groups, noting that water remains fundamental to health, education, livelihoods and human dignity.
According to the association, more than ten of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are directly or indirectly dependent on water availability, reinforcing the urgency of expanding access to safe and reliable water systems.
The statement also emphasized that women and girls, who bear the primary responsibility for water collection in many communities, stand to benefit significantly from improved access. It noted that proximity to water sources enhances safety, saves time, and creates opportunities for education, economic participation and involvement in decision-making processes.
“As an association representing professionals who explore, design, construct, install, maintain and monitor groundwater infrastructure, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity to translate this vision into practical outcomes,” the statement read.
AWDROP outlined a series of commitments aimed at advancing gender-responsive water systems. These include the development of infrastructure that considers the specific needs of women and girls, such as safe locations, proper lighting, privacy, and facilities for hygiene and menstrual health.
The association also pledged to promote inclusive participation by encouraging women’s involvement in water governance structures, project planning, procurement processes and maintenance teams. It further committed to expanding employment opportunities for women within the water drilling sector through targeted training, apprenticeships and mentorship programmes.
In addition, AWDROP advocated for the adoption of gender-responsive policies among its members, including measurable targets for female employment and procurement from women-led businesses, alongside gender-disaggregated monitoring of project outcomes.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, the association called for stronger partnerships among governments, non-governmental organisations, donors and community groups to scale up inclusive water solutions.
AWDROP stressed that delivering sustainable water systems requires not only technical expertise but also a firm commitment to equity, describing it as a key measure of success.
“On this World Water Day, we must recommit our skills and resources to ensuring that water infrastructure delivers not just functionality and durability, but also fairness, safety and empowerment,” the statement added.
The association concluded that prioritising inclusive water systems would significantly improve the lives of women and girls while advancing broader goals of sustainable development and social equity worldwide.
