World Water Day: Yeac-Nigeria Calls for Gender Inclusion, Urges Action on Ogoni Land Water Projects

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC-Nigeria, has called for greater inclusion of women in water management and decision-making processes, as the world marks World Water Day 2026.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the organisation aligned with this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” stressing that women and girls are disproportionately affected by water scarcity.

YEAC-NIGERIA noted that in many communities and urban centres, women bear the burden of fetching water, a situation that negatively impacts their education, health, safety, and economic opportunities.

Focusing on Ogoniland, where the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, is implementing the United Nations Environment Programme report of 2011, the group urged authorities to prioritise water infrastructure.

The organisation called for the reconstruction of collapsed water facilities and the provision of clean, potable drinking water, which it says was identified as an emergency need in the UNEP report over 15 years ago.

YEAC-NIGERIA also appealed to the Rivers State Government to fast-track the delivery of pipe-borne water through the Port Harcourt Water Corporation.

The group expressed concern that despite initial progress, including the laying of pipes and construction of overhead tanks, the project has stalled, leaving residents without access to water.

Describing clean water as a fundamental human right, YEAC-NIGERIA emphasised that improving water access would promote equality and sustainable development.

The organisation called on stakeholders to work collectively to ensure water security and gender equality in Ogoniland, Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and across Nigeria.