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The sharing of effective strategies, knowledge, and experiences between stakeholders is crucial in the promotion of gender equality as it helps maximize the impact of gender-transformative efforts. Sharing good practices and concrete actions is important to ensure efficient and effective collaboration without duplicating efforts. It helps members to learn from one another, avoid common pitfalls, and allows the replicability of what has worked in practice.

This section collects the Coalition ́s actions under the framework of the Call for Action initiative focusing on innovative approaches to help close the gender gap in projects, programs, policies, and knowledge resources. are grouped under five key thematic areas agreed upon during the Coalition’s First Operational workshop (Mexico City, 20-22 September 2023). Additionally, the Coalition has established Working Groups within these thematic areas to facilitate focused collaboration and implementation. These Working Groups provide a platform for members to actively contribute and drive initiatives forward.

Watershed Focus for Gender Integration

The working group on "Watershed Focus for Gender Integration" reflects a focused commitment to advancing gender equality in water management. The main objective of this group is to define the status of gender issues in water resources management through the use of gender-responsive indicators, to inform the Coalition and mobilize decision-makers and governments.

Initially, it is proposed to implement indicators for analyzing water governance from a gender perspective and estimate sex-disaggregated participation in the decision-making process at the basin level (e.g., ). This data collection process will allow the initiation of a global exercise among basin leaders and encourage them to join the initiative. Following the presentation of the outcomes to/by the member countries, the exercise can continue through the application of additional indicators, agreed upon by the involved basin representatives. In addition, the exercise will include periodic monitoring.

Local organizations and territories 

The "Local Organizations and Territories" working group recognizes the significance of the organization and active participation of people with shared needs and interests, fostering the management of territories with cultural relevance. The working group focuses on enhancing environmental and water platforms to comprehensively manage water resources with a gender perspective at various decision-making levels. For instance, in Central America and select Latin American countries with indigenous populations, organized platforms benefit from legal frameworks, yet ensuring the active participation and integration of indigenous peoples, their organizations, and women’s organizations remains a challenge. Therefore, this group aims to address limitations faced by rural and urban youth, women, peasants, and seniors in accessing natural resource platforms and participating in decision-making processes. Notable emphasis is placed on incorporating ancestral knowledge into projects.

It is proposed to apply indicators that measure the participation of F/M members (with position) in decision-making meetings at local or community levels (e.g., WWAP indicator 1d.ii). This may help assess the proportion of F/M participation, understand the reasons for (non) participation, and track the adoption of gender-specific decisions.

Promotion and Dissemination

The Multi-stakeholder Coalition’s "Promotion and Dissemination" working group is dedicated to advancing the overall goals of the Coalition by supporting its advocacy with a dedicated communication strategy. Its main objectives are to: 1) improve awareness on the critical importance of gender equality in water-related issues; 2) enhance the visibility of the Coalition’s historic, ongoing, and planned actions as well as the individual members involved; and 3) reach and bring onboard new members. The group intends to reach both the expert audience (including policymakers, practitioners, communities, individuals, and organizations across different sectors) as well as the general public, through targeted awareness-raising efforts and engagement strategies, utilizing various communication channels.

By fostering a culture of inclusivity and shared responsibility, the working group contributes to building a strong and diverse community that actively supports and implements gender-responsive water practices. By encouraging dialogue and ensuring that the Coalition’s efforts resonate widely, it creates momentum for meaningful and sustainable change in the water domain.

Academia and Publications 

The "Academia and Publications" working group is comprised of dedicated members from academic and research institutions. By actively engaging with scholars, researchers, and academic institutions globally, this group aims to encourage a robust exchange of evidence-based ideas, inter-sectoral collaboration, and best practices related to gender equality and water issues.

By conducting targeted research, this working group aims to generate valuable insights that can be the cornerstone for producing impactful publications and hosting knowledge-sharing events that contribute to the understanding and promotion of gender-responsive water policies. Furthermore, the working group envisions collaborating with the broader Coalition to promote the dissemination and integration of these academic perspectives.

Capacity Development at the Operational Level

Capacity development at the operational level is a fundamental pillar of improving gender equality in the water sector. Training women in technical skills, resource management, and water-related decision-making allows them to access previously restricted job opportunities and promotes equity. Investing in gender-sensitive operational training harnesses women’s skills, bringing onboard their perspectives and knowledge that contribute to more innovative solutions, tailored to the specific needs of communities. Training in leadership skills is also key to ensure women’s ongoing participation at a higher level and to lay the foundation for lasting socio-cultural transformation and sustainable gender equality in water.

This working group aims to narrow the policy-practice gap to ensure that gender equality policies and the necessary mechanisms for their implementation are in place. This brings us a step closer to more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable water systems, benefiting society as a whole.