Clean and accessible water is not only the foundation for successful communities and a healthy and peaceful planet; it is also a fundamental human right.  And yet, today approximately one in eight people lack access to a safe water supply.[1] The use of polluted water means poor sanitation as well as food and drink contamination, all of which lead to disease.  On September 18th, join WEDO in calling attention to the water crisis and celebrate World Water Monitoring Day, an international outreach program that “builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies.”     

In an effort to create dialogue around water quality, WEDO welcomes you to take a look back at our 1998 publication, “Women Transform the Mainstream: 18 Case Studies of Women Challenging Industry, Demanding Clean Water and Calling for Gender Equality in Sustainable Development.”  In it you will learn about:

  • The causes of the water crisis
  • The impact of the water crisis on women
  • Specific recommendations for action based on a variety of case studies

And much more! 

Women do not want to be mainstreamed into the polluted stream.
We want to clean the stream and transform it into a fresh and flowing body.
One that moves in a new direction- a world at peace, that respects human rights for all,
renders economic justice and provides a sound and healthy environment.
Bella S. Abzug (1920-1998)


[1] UNICEF/WHO 2008.  “Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation: Special Focus on Sanitation.”

join the movement

Women and girls around the world are demanding and creating systemic change and a sustainable future for all. We need collective power to attain a just future – we need you.