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Water governance directly affects people’s lives — from health and livelihoods to safety, dignity, and opportunities. Yet many groups still face barriers to participating in decisions that shape their access to water and their resilience to climate change. Corruption, inequality, discrimination, and exclusion weaken governance systems and limit the effectiveness of solutions.

This thematic area focuses on ensuring that water governance respects rights, includes diverse perspectives, and drives transformative change toward more equitable and just water systems. 

Why this matters now

Climate change and growing water stress are amplifying existing inequalities. Women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and marginalized communities are often disproportionately affected by water insecurity yet have limited influence over decisions. Governance systems that fail to represent all voices risk deepening inequities and undermining resilience.

Inclusive, rights-based governance ensures that policies are grounded in fairness, accountability, and local realities — strengthening both social and environmental outcomes.

Where we drive change

1. Embedding human rights-based approaches in water governance

Human rights principles provide a foundation for fair, transparent, and accountable governance. Applying these principles helps ensure that water policies and institutions protect people’s dignity and address inequalities. 

We support rights-based governance by:

  • integrating human rights standards into policies and decision-making
  • supporting institutions to uphold accountability and transparency
  •  ensuring water governance frameworks prioritize equity and non-discrimination

Grounding water governance in human rights strengthens both legitimacy and long-term sustainability. 

Traditional mokoro canoe in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Photo: Stephan Roeger
Photo: Stephan Roeger

2. Advancing gender equality, youth empowerment, and Indigenous Peoples’ leadership

Inclusive governance requires recognizing and valuing the knowledge, leadership, and rights of groups often excluded from decision-making. Strengthening their role improves solutions and creates more resilient societies.

We promote diverse leadership by:

  • supporting gender-responsive policies and programmes
  • creating space for youth participation and influence
  • elevating Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, rights, and governance systems

A broader range of voices leads to governance that is more just, effective, and representative.

Woman paddling canoe on the Amazon River.
Photo: Omri Eliyahu
Photo: Omri Eliyahu

3. Ensuring equitable participation and decision-making across scales

Fair water governance depends on participation at every level — from community processes to national and transboundary decision-making. Inclusive engagement strengthens legitimacy, improves implementation, and ensures that solutions reflect real needs.

We support equitable participation by:

  • improving platforms for stakeholder engagement and dialogue
  • strengthening institutional capacity for inclusive governance
  • ensuring decision-making processes reflect local, regional, and national perspectives

Participation that is broad, meaningful, and informed leads to decisions that endure.

Village meeting, Bissau, Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
Photo: TLF Images
Photo: TLF Images
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