The Water and Environmental Sanitation Network (WESNET) participated in the 2026 World Water Day commemoration held in Liwonde, Machinga District, under the global theme “Water and Gender.”
The event, presided over by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Thoko Tembo also marked the official launch of the Balaka–Liwonde Water Supply Project, a major infrastructure investment aimed at improving access to safe water in the two fast-growing urban centres.
Currently, only about 45% of the population in Liwonde and Balaka has access to piped water services, with many residents relying on alternative sources. Upon completion, the project is expected to achieve 100% service coverage, significantly reducing waterborne diseases and improving quality of life .
In line with this year’s theme, WESNET highlighted the critical link between water access and gender equality. Across Malawi, women and girls disproportionately bear the burden of water collection, often at the expense of education, health, and economic participation.
WESNET emphasized that achieving equitable access to WASH requires deliberate efforts to: design gender-responsive infrastructure and services; ensure meaningful participation of women in water governance; strengthen coordination and accountability across the WASH sector and prioritise investments that address the needs of vulnerable populations.
WESNET reaffirmed its commitment to working with Government and partners to advance inclusive, sustainable, and gender-responsive WASH systems in Malawi.
As Malawi continues to face challenges related to climate change, population growth, and service delivery gaps, the organisation underscored the importance of sustained investment and multi-stakeholder collaboration in achieving universal access to water and sanitation.
