Water ministry officials and sector stakeholders have been urged to develop a concrete plan to guarantee fair access to water for people with special needs.
The call was made by Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Angellah Kairuki, during a water and gender stakeholder dialogue in Morogoro, held as part of the launch of National Water Week.
She said the dialogue offered a crucial platform to discuss the needs of special groups and ensure inclusive water services.
Minister Kairuki stressed that the government and development partners must prioritize people with special needs, not just women and girls.
She highlighted the importance of addressing the challenges faced by women with disabilities and those caring for households with disabled family members.
“We must consider how to serve these groups effectively. How do we ensure water access for a woman with a disability? What about a woman caring for a household of persons with disabilities? Our systems must respond to these realities,” she said.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water, Engineer Mwajuma Waziri, said the ministry is ready to implement recommendations from the dialogue to improve gender inclusion in water access, sanitation, and sustainable water management.
Christina Mhando, representing the NGO WaterAids, emphasized that water is not just a service but a pathway to gender equality.
She said communities with better water access give women and girls more time, improve their health, and allow them to participate fully in economic and social life.
“Gender equality is central to our water projects. Investments in water services are more than technical—they promote justice, dignity, and social change,” Mhando added.
National Water Week was launched in Morogoro this year under the theme: “Water and Gender.”
