World Water Day, which we celebrate every year on March 22, was established by the United Nations in 1993 to raise awareness of the importance of water to our lives and the need for its sustainable use. Around 71% of our planet is made up of water, but only 2.5% of it is freshwater, of which only 1% is available for use. Water is not evenly distributed across the globe, leaving almost 2.2 billion people without access to safe drinking water today. Climate change and steady population growth further increase the water crisis and require urgent action.
The theme of this year’s celebrations is Water and Gender. It highlights the harsh realities of daily life, as water scarcity and lack of sanitation disproportionately affect women and girls, especially in many regions where poverty, gender inequality, and water scarcity are closely linked. Without safe water, sanitation and hygiene close to home, women and girls bear a heavier burden than men and boys. In eight out of ten households facing water scarcity, women and girls are responsible for collecting water. They care for people made sick by unsafe water. They lose time, health, safety, and opportunities. And, they are often left out of decision-making. Furthermore, access to safe sanitation is essential for women’s health.
This makes the global water crisis a women’s crisis.
It’s time to centre women and girls in water solutions – not only as users, but as leaders, engineers, farmers, scientists, caregivers and changemakers. Because when women and girls are empowered to play their full role alongside men and boys, everyone thrives.
That’s why this year’s campaign is called ‘Where water flows, equality grows’.
Water plays a particularly important role in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. It creates tufa barriers, waterfalls and lakes, is a habitat for numerous plants and animals, and serves to supply drinking water and other human needs. That is why every year, on World Water Day, we also remind ourselves of the need to protect and conserve freshwater ecosystems. We have also used this opportunity for many years to inform eighth-graders from local elementary schools about the waters in our park, the problems associated with freshwater and the theme of World Water Day through presentations and workshops.
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