Women and girls suffer first when droughts hit poor and rural areas, says UN

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🗞️ Driving the news: Women and girls bear the brunt of the impact when drought hits impoverished and rural areas, highlighting the need for global water strategies to incorporate gender considerations, as emphasized by the UN in its latest world water development report

🔭 The context: The report sheds light on the exacerbated stress on water resources due to climate change, overuse, and pollution
• It also discusses the overlooked potential of leveraging cooperation over water resources for broader peace strategies, emphasizing that disputes over water are often symptomatic of wider social, political, and environmental issues

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The scarcity and mismanagement of water resources contribute to forced migration, food insecurity, and heightened health risks, with particular repercussions for women and girls
• These challenges underscore the necessity of sustainable and equitable water management as a cornerstone for peace and prosperity

⏭️ What's next: The report suggests that improving cooperation on freshwater access can not only mitigate conflict but also enhance the lives of vulnerable populations, especially women and girls
• It calls for urgent action to safeguard water resources and foster regional and global cooperation, amidst warnings that freshwater demand will outstrip supply by 40% by the end of this decade

💬 One quote: "As water stress increases, so do the risks of local or regional conflict. Unesco’s message is clear: if we want to preserve peace, we must act swiftly not only to safeguard water resources but also to enhance regional and global cooperation in this area," said Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO

📈 One stat: Nearly half of the world’s population lacks access to hygienic sanitation, and about 2.2 billion people cannot rely on a safe supply of drinking water, highlighting the urgency of addressing global water scarcity.

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