The Our Water, Our Rights Africa Coalition, OWORAC, has warned that water privatisation poses a significant threat to women and girls across Africa, as the world marks the 2026 World Water Day.

In a statement to commemorate the global event themed “Water and Gender,” the coalition stressed the urgent need to address gender inequality in communities facing severe water shortages.

OWORAC, a network of civil society organisations, local communities, and trade unions, maintained that all forms of water privatisation and corporate control undermine the realisation of water as a fundamental human right, particularly on the African continent.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Fatou Diouf of the Senegalese Water Justice Network identified gender inequality and corporate interests as major drivers of the global water crisis.

She noted that women and girls are disproportionately affected when governments hand over public water systems to private operators, adding that privatisation often prioritises profit over equitable access.

According to her, such arrangements not only commodify water but also deepen existing social and economic inequalities, reinforcing the need for publicly funded and democratically managed water systems.

The coalition highlighted that billions of people worldwide still lack access to safe water, with women and girls bearing the heaviest burden. It revealed that in sub-Saharan Africa, they spend an estimated 200 million hours daily collecting water, time that could otherwise be used for education, work, or personal safety.

Quoting UNICEF Director of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Cecilia Sharp, the statement noted that every step a girl takes to fetch water limits her opportunities for learning, recreation, and safety.

OWORAC also expressed concern over reports that the Zimbabwean government is considering scrapping the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, warning that such a move could weaken institutional protections for women’s rights.

The coalition said the development is particularly troubling amid plans to introduce water privatisation schemes in the country, raising fears about the protection of vulnerable groups.

It further criticised the growing influence of private water corporations, noting that evidence from various regions shows that privatisation often leads to higher tariffs, poor labour conditions, and weak accountability in water governance.

OWORAC also faulted the inclusion of AquaFed, an international lobby group representing major private water companies, in the World Water Day 2026 Task Force, describing the move as inappropriate.

The coalition called on African governments to reject water privatisation and so-called public-private partnerships, urging increased public investment in water infrastructure and services.

It also emphasised the need for transparency, inclusive decision-making, and stronger public participation, particularly ensuring that women are actively involved in water governance.

OWORAC stressed that protecting access to water as a basic human right is essential to promoting gender equality, improving livelihoods, and achieving sustainable development across the continent.

Assistant Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Zikora Ibeh, described the theme as timely, noting that access to water extends beyond infrastructure to issues of power, equity, and social justice.

Ibeh explained that women and girls bear the heaviest burden of water shortages, often traveling long distances and spending hours daily to fetch water for household use.

She said the situation is structural rather than accidental, attributing it to weak public water systems and insufficient investment in the sector. She cited a community in Ondo State where women and girls spend up to four hours traveling by water to access basic supplies, an ordeal that disrupts education and exposes them to safety risks.

The CAPPA official also pointed to the paradox in Lagos, noting that despite being surrounded by water, many residents still struggle with access due to declining public systems and increasing commercialization of water services.