COWASH Showcases Gender-Transformative Community-Led WASH Models at UN
27 March 2026
Advancing Inclusive Policy through Field Evidence
The project team used the global platform to demonstrate how community-led WASH models and gender transformative approaches transition women from beneficiaries to active decision-makers. The team shared insights with international NGOs and government delegates, highlighting the critical links between WASH services, menstrual health as a human right, gender-responsive climate action and disability inclusion. These discussions demonstrated how the project’s community-led successes translate into practical solutions for global sustainable development priorities. By sharing practical lessons from the field, the team also presented COWASH IV’s implementation in Ethiopia as a scalable blueprint for inclusive gender-transformative programming in low-resource environments.
From Policy to Action
Key messages emerging from CSW70 emphasized that gender equality must move beyond policy commitments into concrete and measurable action. Discussions also highlighted that climate justice is not gender‑neutral and that women’s leadership must be meaningful rather than symbolic. These global mandates affirm the value of COWASH IV’s experience and continued initiatives to advance women’s leadership, gender-responsive climate action and inclusive governance within community-based WASH systems. They further demonstrate that the project ongoing work in these areas aligns with international best practices.
Upcoming Global Dialogue
Following the session in New York, the team established new professional connections for future collaboration. As a direct result, Development Advisor Pietari Arikka will join an expert panel in mid-April for the webinar “Rewiring Climate Systems: Women Redesigning Governance and Finance Across Africa and the Caribbean.” The upcoming event will connect CSW70 insights to practical experiences in gender-responsive climate governance and adaptation strategies across the continent.