Namibia joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Wetlands Day and World Water Day in Windhoek today.

Speakers at the event said there is a growing need to safeguard wetlands as a way to address water scarcity while advancing gender mainstreaming in water management.

The Manager of Research and Postgraduate Development at NUST, Rennie Muyanyi, said when water systems fail, the burden is not shared equally, with women, youth and people with disabilities often carrying the greatest impact.

Muyanyi said these groups also remain largely under-represented in water decision-making processes.

She said gender mainstreaming in water management is therefore critical to ensure that vulnerable groups have a voice in the management of water resources.

Muyanyi adds that these goals can be achieved through the design of accessible, affordable and safe water infrastructure, improving grassroots water data collection, and ensuring that financing partners demand accountability for water spending.

World Wetlands Day is commemorated on the 2nd of February, while World Water Day is observed on the 22nd of March.