Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Abuja, Nigeria — As Nigeria joined the global community in commemorating World Water Day 2026 on March 22, attention was drawn to the critical connections between water access, gender equity, and national development. This year’s global theme, “Water and Gender,” highlights how disparities in access to safe and clean water disproportionately affect women and girls and why addressing these inequalities is essential for sustainable development and human dignity. The campaign slogan for 2026, “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” underscores the interlinkages between water availability, social equity, and gender equality.
In her official message marking the occasion, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, emphasized that providing safe, clean, and accessible water does more than meet a basic human need. It creates opportunities for girls to remain in school, women to pursue economic livelihoods, and families to live healthier, more productive lives. Her address highlighted the link between water infrastructure, sanitation services, and societal equity, and stressed the importance of gender‑responsive approaches in water planning.
The First Lady noted that women and girls in many communities bear the primary responsibility for collecting water, often walking long distances to rivers, streams, or distant hand pumps. These journeys not only consume significant time each day but can compromise girls’ school attendance, limit women’s ability to engage in economic activities, and expose them to safety risks. Ensuring equitable water access is therefore both a human rights and social development imperative.
Oluremi Tinubu highlighted that access to clean water and proper sanitation directly improves public health by reducing water‑borne diseases and supporting better hygiene practices. When water is readily available, women and girls gain time to participate more fully in education, business, and community activities. She called on all Nigerians — from government agencies to community leaders, civil society organizations, and private sector actors — to work collaboratively toward expanding water access, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
The First Lady also emphasized the importance of investing in sustainable water infrastructure, including boreholes, community water systems, and rainwater harvesting technologies, while ensuring proper maintenance. She advocated for integrating gender considerations into water projects so that women and girls are included as planners, decision-makers, and beneficiaries of water and sanitation initiatives.
Her message recognized the contributions of development partners, non-governmental organizations, and community groups that work with the Nigerian government to expand access to safe water, improve school sanitation facilities, and promote hygiene education. Such collaborations are vital to achieving inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
Oluremi Tinubu stressed that access to clean water is a fundamental human right that fosters dignity, equity, and opportunity. She urged Nigerians to renew their commitment to improving water systems, reducing water insecurity, and promoting gender equality in line with sustainable development goals. Her message highlighted the transformative effect that safe and reliable water supply can have on education, economic participation, and family well-being.
By focusing on the connection between water and gender, the First Lady emphasized that ensuring clean water for all is not just an environmental or technical challenge, but a social one that impacts the overall progress and resilience of Nigerian society. She called for multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure that safe water reaches homes, schools, and workplaces nationwide, helping communities thrive and promoting equality across generations.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments