Gender equality and inclusive water governance are key to sustainable development and climate resilience

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Phnom Penh, March 30, 2026_When it comes to water, gender equality and inclusion leads to better opportunities for all. Gender equality is an essential path for fair and just access to, and use of, water. This is one of the key conclusions of the United Nations World Water Development Report 2026 (WWDR), published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water. The report was released on 19 March ahead of World Water Day 2026 on 22 March. This year’s World Water Day theme is Gender and Water and the campaign theme is – ‘Where water flows, equality grows’.

More than seventy participants from government, UN agencies, development partners, civil society, youth and media joined the launch on 30 March 2026 at Phnom Penh and deliberated on ways to further strengthen gender equality and inclusion across water and sanitation policies and practices in Cambodia.

Cambodia’s National Water Resources Policy (2004), complemented by the 2007 Law on Water Resources Management and two sub-decrees (one on river basin management and one on Farmer Water User Committees), provides overarching principles for sustainable water use, water security, and equitable access by various sectors. These policies and legal frameworks, along with multi-sectoral collaborations, have underpinned Cambodia's progress in achieving inclusive, affordable and sustainable water and sanitation for all. 

As per Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 data on water access, more than 33% of the country’s population used a safely managed water service in 2024. Cambodia has an abundance of water resources, including the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake, yet many areas face severe water scarcity during dry seasons, impacting the water and livelihood security of communities. In addition, real gender equality gaps remain in practice. Evidence shows that women and girls are disproportionately impacted by water insecurity. When it comes to decision-making processes on water and sanitation, women are underrepresented in key institutions like in the Farmer Water User Communities (FWUCs) and River Basin Committees (RBCs), which are mostly men-dominated. There is an urgent need to support and strengthen women’s leadership in the country’s overall water governance policies and practice at the national, sub-national and local levels. 

The discussion at the launch identified specific actions to address some of these existing gender gaps in water governance and financing in Cambodia. These suggestions and insights will inform the government’s on-going efforts such as the Cambodia’s Climate Resilient Water Resource Governance Roadmap. 

H.E Ms. Ngin Lina, Secretary of State, Chair of Gender Working Group of Ministry of Environment said, “Water security for all is a key policy priority of the government and it has been mobilizing cross-sectoral collaboration and partnerships for more inclusive water governance practices. More enabling environments are being supported that improves women’s leadership and engagement in water governance decisions, including those related to access to affordable finance for women's entrepreneurship.”

Ms. Sophoan Phean, National Director, Oxfam in Cambodia underscored Oxfam’s long-standing commitment to support and promote women leadership in water governance and climate resilience. 

“Oxfam and partners have co-designed many innovative approaches that further strengthen gender inclusive natural resources governance practices and policies in Cambodia. Our approach has always been to bring about systemic changes by working on some of the underlying causes of inequality and marginalization and building capacity for long-term impact,” she said. 

UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, Mr. Flavio Bonetti, highlighted UNESCO’s commitment to strengthening the links between water governance, gender equality, and sustainable development. In the Lower Mekong Basin, UNESCO is addressing data and capacity gaps in transboundary groundwater management while promoting women’s equal participation through Gender Focal Points and Groundwater Gender Action Plans. Additionally, the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve (TSBR) Project has established a high‑level, women‑led coordination mechanism to ensure strong governance and embed gender equality in the implementation of the TSBR Strategic Plan.

This launch is co-convened by Oxfam, as part of the Government of Australia and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)-funded Mekong Inclusive Water Governance and Climate Resilience Project (IP3), and UNESCO Cambodia Office.