On June 8, 2015, the international forum “Women and Water” is taking place in the large hall of the National Library of Tajikistan. The event was held in anticipation of the International High-Level Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life,” which will take place in Dushanbe from June 9-11.
The event is organized by the Committee on Family Affairs, Women, and Religion of the Government of Tajikistan, with the support of a consortium of partners: the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Oxfam, UN Women, the Global Water Partnership, and Women for Water Partnership. Representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman, the Central Asian Alliance for Water and Sanitation (CAAWS), and the Environmental Movement “BIOM” participated from the Kyrgyz Republic. The main goal of the meeting is to continue the dialogue on improving the role of women in managing natural resources. In the speakers’ reports, it was noted that women are more exposed to risks when there is a lack of access to water and adequate sanitation. In the absence of access to water, women bear the responsibility for bringing water into the home. In Kyrgyzstan, according to a study conducted by ED BIOM, of 633 rural community organizations of drinking water users, only 38 are led by women. The agenda of the Forum addresses issues such as: women, water, and economic development, equal participation of women and men in the decision-making process, and priorities of the Program for the post-2015 period. For further information, please contact Anna Kirilenko, ED BIOM, annakir7@mail.ru.
