INMACOM Takes First Step Towards Addressing Inclusion In Water Diplomacy

The INMACOM Youth and Women in Water Diplomacy Planning Meeting held on the 9th July, 2024 in Mbombela, South Africa was a promising start to addressing issues that affect youth and women in the water sector.

The meeting, attended by representatives from Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa, explored opportunities for youth and women in the sector, as well as lessons that could be learned from other River Basin Organizations.

Eswatini mentioned that they have taken part in various Incomati Basin Women in Water conferences where there was a focus on women led academic research and projects. There are programs supported by the Blue Deal where a youth chapter has been established and young people get an opportunity to do internships and get mentorship.

There is also a partnership with the University of Eswatini to develop training modules for water quality monitoring.

South Africa shared that they have a fully-fledged government department focused on women, youth and other marginalized groups. The department mainly focuses on job creation, capacity development, economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, and social cohesion.

Mozambique reported on a gender policy developed by ARA-Sul-IP to address sexual harassment as well as a code of conduct to protect women. There is also a Management Development Program for women in water with a target of having 32% of senior management positions occupied by women.

The meeting resolved to include people living with disabilities to ensure that none was left out when addressing inclusion. The meeting resolved to have further investigations of Youth and Women related programs from Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM), African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW), Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU) and the Nile Basin Discourse amongst other partners.

There will be regular consultative meetings until the first Incomati and Maputo Youth and Women in Water Diplomacy Conference can be hosted in 2025.

The Secretariat was then assigned to use the outcomes of these engagements to mobilize for more resources to support projects under Youth and Women. This initial planning meeting is a promising step towards a more inclusive and equitable water sector in Southern Africa.