Women Leadership in Water Diplomacy

We prioritize inclusion and recognize the vital role of women in water diplomacy and peacebuilding, respecting their values, and socio-cultural norms. Our commitment to this principle is embodied in the Empowering Women in Water Diplomacy in the MENA Region Initiative, launched jointly with the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean in 2020. This initiative aims to enhance the skills of 21st-century female water diplomats, fostering their leadership and decision-making roles in water diplomacy and transboundary water cooperation, which are essential for peacebuilding efforts.

Despite some effort in this direction, women's voices and contributions to peace are often marginalized in decision-making and negotiation processes. This was the view of the nearly 100 women water experts who contributed to the elaboration of the study : Empowering Women in Water Diplomacy in the Middle East and North Africa: A Comparative Study of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Palestine. The study serves as a critical resource for understanding and addressing the challenges faced by women in water diplomacy.

In response to the need for tailored capacity-building, the Initiative also developed the ‘90-minute Series’ in 2021 – interactive Q&A sessions with prominent diplomats and transboundary water cooperation experts, carefully structured around themes derived from the comparative study. This series was built around an experiential learning process, as one of the most effective ways to promote professional integration and develop leadership skills. Currently, the initiative is charting the course for its next phase, aligning with regional developments and the evolving needs of women in water diplomacy.