The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has called for equity in water resources planning and management to improve gender equality in water accessibility.

The chairman of the NSE Ibadan Branch, Ayokunnu Ojedele, made the call at the 6th Engineer Gbola Tokun Memorial World Water Day lecture in Ibadan on Tuesday.

The lecture, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (NIEE), Oyo State chapter, honours the late Tokun, a water and sewage design engineer and past Ibadan branch chairman.

The World Water Day, held every March 22, highlights the importance of freshwater and advocates for the sustainable management of its resources.

The 2026 theme, “Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” examines water and gender within the context of equitable water access, sustainable water infrastructure and its improved governance and management efforts.

Mr Ojedele urged governments and organisations to adopt gender-responsive water policies to ensure women and girls are not left behind in water management, governance and infrastructure.

The keynote speaker, Tolulope Odunola of the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, USA, noted that the world’s water resources are under severe stress.

She noted that this was true in regions with underdeveloped infrastructure and high vulnerability to uncertainties, such as climate change.

Ms Odunola added that the event’s theme exposed the restrictive social norms and systemic inequalities that had made women and girls more susceptible to water-related challenges globally.

She urged both men and women, as custodians of the earth’s most valuable resource, to take personal responsibility toward improving water access in their communities.

She said, “The role women play as domestic caregivers underpins overall societal productivity and economic development, but there is disproportionate attention given to their improved access to water resources.

“The global water crisis is a heavier burden on women, as water appears to flow more toward men and boys in today’s world.

“To bridge gender gaps in water accessibility, we must take actionable steps that would encourage women to assume leadership roles in the water sector, challenging societal norms and expectations. We must also encourage capacity-building programmes and investment in robust water infrastructure, among others.”

The guest lecturer, Amarachi Alaka of the Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, Imo State Polytechnic, noted that water crises had negatively impacted women and girls in many ways.

According to her, women and girls who spend hours collecting water instead of learning or working bear a double burden.

“They lose time and resources which are essential for their development and well-being. Unsafe water can lead to serious health issues such as maternal and neonatal complications.

“Also, daily long-distance walks with heavy containers can cause falls, accidents, fractures, fatigue, dehydration, back pain and even physical disabilities.

“Women and girls face a high risk of rape, sexual harassment, or kidnapping en route to fetch water, especially in insecure areas,” she said.

She urged the government to develop gender-sensitive policies to ensure active women’s participation in water resources planning and implementation processes.

Earlier, the NIEE chairman, Oyo Chapter, Kamarudeen Olaiya, said women and girls bore the primary responsibility for water collection, often at the expense of education, health and economic opportunities.

He stated, “As professionals in engineering and environmental management, we have a crucial role to play in reshaping this narrative.

“Through innovative design, inclusive policies and sustainable water systems, we can ensure that access to water promotes equality and empowers all members of society.”

(NAN)