The burden of collecting water disproportionately falls to women and girls. With a nearby water source, women have more time and opportunity to pursue an education, care for their families, and generate income, helping to break the cycle of poverty realize their full potential.

Students, especially girls, can spend hours a day collecting water for drinking and washing, which is time they are unable to spend learning to read and write, or playing with classmates.

Access to clean latrines ensures that women and girls are able to wash and dispose of their menstrual products safely, privately, and with dignity, meaning that they can continue to go to school and work uninterrupted.

"The global water crisis affects everyone – but not equally.

Where people lack safe drinking water and sanitation close to home, inequalities flourish, with women and girls bearing the brunt.

They collect water.

They manage water.

They care for people made sick by unsafe water.

They lose time, health, safety, and opportunities.

And too often, the systems that govern water leave women and girls out of decision-making, leadership, funding and representation.

This makes the water crisis a women’s crisis."

United Nations (World Water Day 026: Water and Gender)