Technical Session: gender mainstreaming in water management and launching of the Arabic version of the guidelines for sex disaggregated data collection and analysis in water management

Gender mainstreaming in water management is essential for achieving equitable, inclusive, and sustainable water governance. This session, organized by UNESCO Cairo and the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), will explore the critical role of gender-responsive approaches in water policy, planning, and implementation. It will highlight global and regional efforts to integrate gender perspectives into water-related decision-making, with a focus on empowering women as key stakeholders in water security. The session will also examine the barriers to gender equality in the water sector and present strategies for institutional transformation and capacity development. A key highlight of the session will be the official launch of the Arabic version of the “Guidelines for the Collection and Analysis of Sex-Disaggregated Water Data”, a vital tool for enhancing gender-sensitive water management in Arabic-speaking countries. These guidelines aim to support practitioners, researchers, and policymakers in generating and utilizing data that reflect the different needs, roles, and impacts of water on women and men. By promoting evidence-based gender mainstreaming, the session seeks to strengthen inclusive water governance and contribute to the achievement of SDG 6 and SDG 5 on gender equality.