As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we highlight the critical role of women river defenders in shaping water governance across Asia and beyond.
The world stands at a critical juncture in its journey towards sustainability and climate resilience. Among the most pressing issues is water governance, a complex challenge that requires an inclusive and intersectional approach. As we confront the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and shrinking civic space, the voices and leadership of women—particularly those from Indigenous and riverine communities—have emerged as not only essential but transformative.
Women and Rivers
The Women and Rivers Network began in 2019 when International Rivers and partners held the inaugural Women and Rivers Congress in Nagarkot, Nepal, bringing together close to 100 women leaders from 30 countries to celebrate our achievements, learn, strategize and identify ways to support each other in protecting rivers and the communities that depend on them. Participants developed a roadmap for collective action focused on four key pillars: generating knowledge, mobilizing resources, strengthening the movement, and framing the narrative through storytelling.
The ripple effects of the accelerators are significant–as participants receive seed grants to carry out community projects like citizen science to gather information about understudied rivers, creative initiatives like building movement archives, or documentary filmmaking with a focus on benefiting their communities. We have seen the Accelerator participants collaborate beyond our interventions where they apply for grants and conduct projects with each other or speak on panels in solidarity with each others struggles on ground. All women become part of the Women and Rivers Network and are invited to future Congresses, and some women return to accelerators to become session leaders, passing on their knowledge. In this way, the accelerators are designed to have a multiplier effect beyond the original numbers of participants.
In June 2024, Oxfam, International Rivers, and partners co-organized the second face-to-face Congress with a regional focus on Asia. Participants crafted a powerful Solidarity Statement calling for transformative changes that center the vital role of women environmental defenders in protecting rivers, territories, and communities.
These gatherings create spaces where women river defenders can be inspired by stories of resilience, deepen networks, learn new skills, and encourage cross-sector dialogue—all while recognizing that less than 2% of philanthropic funding is dedicated to supporting women and girls, despite their critical role in environmental stewardship.1
The 2024 Asia Women and Rivers Congress: Building on Global Momentum
The Second Asia Women and Rivers Congress held in Chiang Rai, Thailand in June 2024, highlighted the critical role of women in water governance and emphasized the need for their enhanced participation in transboundary water governance. The Congress brought together over 125 women leaders and supporters from 18 countries, primarily from South and Southeast Asia, representing the entire watershed ecosystem.
This gathering reinforces the global recognition that women’s leadership is essential to address our most pressing environmental challenges, a message that resonates strongly as we approach International Women’s Day 2025.
The Unique Role of Women in Water Governance
Water governance encompasses the political, social, economic, and administrative systems that influence water’s use and management. Effective governance is vital for ensuring equitable access to water resources and protecting ecosystems. However, traditional structures often exclude the perspectives of women, especially those from Indigenous and marginalized communities.
Women play a unique role in water governance due to their deep connection with water resources. They are often the primary managers of water at the household and community levels, responsible for water collection, food production, and household hygiene. This gives women invaluable knowledge about local water systems, making their involvement in decision-making processes crucial for creating effective and sustainable policies.
On this International Women’s Day, we recognize that women’s relationship with water is not just practical but often spiritual and cultural, informing a holistic approach to resource management that prioritizes long-term sustainability.
Women’s Leadership: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
A key theme of the Congress was recognizing the challenges women face in managing water resources, particularly in the context of large-scale infrastructure projects that often have devastating impacts on rivers and communities. Indigenous women leaders from South and Southeast Asia and Australia shared their experiences of community mobilization and solidarity, highlighting the courage required to protect water resources against powerful external forces.
These stories underscore the need for a more inclusive approach to water governance that values women’s knowledge and leadership. By involving women in decision-making, we can develop more holistic solutions to water management challenges. Women’s central roles in managing household and community-level water position them as influential actors in promoting practical solutions.
The Congress also highlighted women’s critical role in the just energy transition. The discussions revealed that women are already leading efforts to promote decentralized, community-driven energy solutions in countries like Cambodia and India, demonstrating that women’s leadership is necessary for achieving sustainable development goals.
International Women’s Day serves as a reminder that climate justice and gender equity are deeply interconnected. Women often bear disproportionate impacts of climate change while simultaneously leading community-based adaptation strategies. Their leadership in water governance is a crucial component of effective climate action.
Building Networks for Change
A key outcome of the Congress was strengthening networks among women leaders and their allies. The Women and Rivers Network, which began in 2019, has expanded to over 200 women, creating a powerful community that supports women’s leadership in water governance.
The Congress emphasized cross-sectoral and transboundary collaboration. Water governance challenges often transcend national borders, and women from different countries must work together to address shared challenges. By creating transnational networks, women can build the collective power needed to influence policy and decision-making processes at higher levels.
“It’s important that [women river defenders] stay connected. I live in a village where there is no road or connectivity. [The congress] was my first international flight. There is a strong spirit moving us. I feel proud of myself, coming from that small village to this level. I have to be a voice for my people, especially as an Indigenous woman. If I get an opportunity to share my struggle and what is happening back home, that really matters to me and that is what keeps me going.”
Marmit Lepcha, Women and Rivers Accelerator and 2024 Congress participant
A Call to Action
The Asia Women and Rivers Congress was a powerful reminder of the critical importance of women’s leadership in water governance. Women’s knowledge, experiences, and leadership are essential for addressing the complex challenges of water management, climate change, and social justice. By amplifying women’s voices, strengthening their networks, and supporting their leadership, we can create more inclusive and effective water governance systems.
As we move forward, we must continue to advocate for women’s inclusion in all aspects of water governance. This means ensuring women have a seat at the decision-making table, that their knowledge is valued, and that they are supported in their efforts to protect water resources.
The journey toward inclusive and effective water governance is ongoing, and the Asia Women and Rivers Congress has set the stage for the next steps. International Women’s Day reminds us that gender equality is not just a women’s issue—it’s a sustainability imperative. Now, it is up to all of us to work together to ensure a just and sustainable future for our rivers, communities, and planet.
More Women, More Power—More Sustainable Futures
1 According to the Women and Girls Index 2024 by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy