World Water Day is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. The 2026 theme is Water and Gender,
World Water Day 2026 is all about how water and gender equality are deeply interconnected.
Without safe water, sanitation and hygiene close to home, women and girls bear a heavier burden than men and boys. They collect and manage water. They care for people made sick by unsafe water. They lose time, health, safety, and opportunities. And, they are often left out of decision-making.
This makes the global water crisis a women’s crisis. It’s time to centre women and girls in water solutions – not only as users, but as leaders, engineers, farmers, scientists, caregivers and changemakers.
Because when women and girls are empowered to play their full role alongside men and boys, everyone thrives. That’s why this year’s campaign is called ‘Where water flows, equality grows’.