MONROVIA – The National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (NWASH) Commission, in collaboration with development partners, on Tuesday officially commemorated World Water Day 2026, under the global theme: “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows.”
By Francis G. Boayue
The event, held in Monrovia, served as a platform for government officials and international partners to reflect on Liberia’s progress in the water sector while addressing the systemic inequalities that continue to burden women and girls in their search for safe drinking water.
Speaking on behalf of the National WASH Commission, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO), George W.K. Yarngo, reminded attendees that World Water Day, established by the UN in 1993, is not merely a celebration but a call to action for the 2.2 billion people globally still living without access to safe water.
“This year’s focus on water and gender equality is critical,” Mr. Yarngo stated. “Women and girls are disproportionately affected by water challenges due to entrenched gender roles and inadequate infrastructure. When we involve women in water management, governance becomes more equitable, and our communities become more resilient.”
He emphasized that the 2026 campaign aims to integrate gender equality into water tenure and agricultural management, noting that empowering women to lead as engineers, scientists, and community leaders is essential to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6—water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Delivering the keynote on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., the Political Advisor, Madam Mandella Copper, conveyed President Boakai’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that clean water reaches the most remote villages of Liberia.
“His Excellency recognizes that water is not only a basic necessity but a fundamental human right,” Madam Copper told the gathering.
“Across our communities, it is too often women and girls who bear the burden of accessing water—walking long distances and sacrificing time better spent on education. This is not merely a development challenge; it is a matter of dignity, equality, and justice.”
The President’s statement further highlighted the relaunch of “Water Guard,” a household-level intervention aimed at reducing waterborne diseases.
He called on all Liberians and international partners to move beyond reflection and toward decisive action. “No Liberian should be left behind, and no community should be deprived of such a basic necessity,” the Presidential statement read.
Representing the civil society organizations, Timothy Kpeh, speaking on behalf of CSOs, urged those in attendance to view water as the primary source of life and a catalyst for economic stability.
He noted that the global water crisis is, at its core, a women’s crisis, as they are the primary collectors and managers of water but are often excluded from the policy-making tables.
The ceremony, which began with a grand parade, concluded with a call for increased investment in infrastructure to reduce the domestic burden on women and to ensure that where water flows, equality grows.
