WOMEN WHO OPEN PATHS, THE FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO WATER
From the mountains to the cities, Guatemalan women are leading the fight for access to water, an essential resource that remains a challenge for millions.
Guatemala City, March 2025. In Guatemala, according to the 2014 ENCOVI survey, 77.8% of the population has access to water, but more than 3.7 million people still face difficulties accessing this essential resource. Two initiatives are joining forces to highlight existing inequalities and promote tangible changes in water management.
“Recognizing that in Guatemala women and girls are the most affected by the lack of access to water and sanitation, limiting their health, education, and participation, we trust that, through investment and collective commitment, we will move towards a future where every woman and girl has equitable access to safe and sustainable services, building a more prosperous and egalitarian society,” stated Irma Ico, Sixth Councilor of San Juan Chamelco in Alta Verapaz.
The most affected population are rural and indigenous communities, especially children, who have to take on the responsibility of transporting water to their homes, putting aside activities such as education and social participation in their communities.
The member organizations of the Guatemalan Drinking Water and Sanitation Network -RASGUA-, Agenda for Change -A4C- and Global Water Partnership -GWP-, which are made up of Water For People, Care, Helvetas, Engineers Without Borders and UNICEF, with the support of Rotoplas, EPSUM, ADA2 and Sanitation and Water For All, have organized the 2nd Workshop “Women, let's talk about Water”.
This event, held on March 4 and 5, 2025, was a space for reflection and participatory dialogue that addressed the progress, challenges and opportunities to incorporate a gender perspective in the drinking water and sanitation sector in Guatemala.
This workshop was a space for participatory dialogue where the guests were able to express diverse experiences and establish an action plan for the strengthening of the drinking water and sanitation sector, which marks an important step towards an inter-institutional agenda.
In addition, Life Thru Sports and runner Daniela Andrade, in collaboration with Water For People, have worked on the "Kilometers of Culture" series, which combines art, sport, and social action.
Through this inspiring 725 km trek on foot from Tikal to El Paredón, Andrade and a group of young photographers documented stories of communities facing water scarcity, promoting the importance of access to clean water and sustainable tourism.
This film will premiere on March 25th at Alba Cinema Bistro, Fontabella. The series will not only tell Andrade's story, but will also raise funds to benefit Guatemalan communities in their fight for access to clean drinking water.
These two efforts, although different in their format, share the same purpose: to ensure that all people, especially women, can exercise their right to water and have access to a dignified life free from inequalities.
About Water For People
Water For People is an international nonprofit organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado. We have been working in Guatemala since 1997. Our goal is to provide water, sanitation, and hygiene services to everyone and ensure that these solutions last forever. We work in communities until every family, health center, and public school has high levels of safe and reliable water and sanitation service. We have a realistic plan to achieve permanent change in Guatemala, which involves working with communities, training local workers, and building systems.
About RASGUA
The Guatemalan National Drinking Water and Sanitation Network (RASGUA) is a platform based on voluntary, collaborative work with open participation from its members (CARE, Water For People, HELVETAS, Global Communities and the Environmental and Water Law Alliance, ADA² ) , allies and local actors. Its primary objective is to contribute to improving the living conditions of the Guatemalan population by strengthening governance, management and sustainable and efficient provision of public drinking water and sanitation services within the framework of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation (HRWS) and Sustainable Development Goal 6 on Water and Sanitation.
About Life Thru Sports
Life Thru Sports is an organization committed to promoting sport as an agent of social and environmental change, highlighting the importance of caring for our natural resources and fostering unity through inspiring experiences.
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