World Water Day

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The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 called for an international observance for water. The UN General Assembly in 1993 set aside March 22 as the first World Water Day. UN-Water , the organization responsible for water and sanitation sets a theme for the World Water Day, based on a current or future challenge. There is no life without water.

Availability and sustainable management of water has a direct link to the creation of quality jobs. The theme – better water, better jobs attempts to highlight the central role water plays in creating and supporting quality jobs. It helps to focus on the “power of water and jobs have to transform the lives of the people.” Today, almost 1.5 billion people work in water related sectors; in fact all jobs depend on water.

Yet, millions of people whose livelihoods depend on water are not recognized or protected by basic labor rights. Every year 340,000 workers die because of inadequate water supply and sanitation. The availability and quality of water has a direct impact on workers’ lives and sustainable development.

Around 650 million people do not have access to safe water. Women and girl children walk for hours every day to bring water for their families. Their contribution is never recognized or remunerated.

If access to safe and adequate water is guaranteed, the women could be learning skills to help them find better jobs and the children would be learning in schools. World Water Day is to make a difference for the vulnerable members of the global population who suffer from water related issues. It is a day to prepare for how we manage water in the future. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, in his message for the World Water Day 2016, states: “We can take bold action to address water inequity as part of our efforts to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” Be involved in the implementation of Sustainable Goal 6 – “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.” The linkage between water and forests was celebrated on March 21 as International Day of Forests .

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1.6 billion people draw their sustenance from forests – food, water, fuel and jobs. Forest catchments provide 75% of the fresh water we use every day. 1/3 of the largest cities get drinking water from the forests.

Watch the below video to see the link between forests and water:

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