Discussion Paper: Intentional Efforts to address gender parity in UNICEF WASH

The document discusses UNICEF’s efforts to achieve gender parity in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) workforce. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented, particularly in senior roles. UNICEF has initiated several programs, including mentoring, career cafes, and a Women in WASH initiative, to address recruitment, retention, and advancement barriers. The document highlights persistent societal norms and limited female representation in STEM fields as challenges. Recommendations include continued research, dedicated resources for female-focused WASH training, and advocacy for gender parity in the sector.