Empowering Women in Water Diplomacy in the MENA Region: Strengthening Negotiation Skills in Conflict Settings

As International Women’s Day and World Water Day align in 2026, the situation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region underscores the urgency of placing women at the centre of water diplomacy.

In conflict-affected settings, water is increasingly under threat and often weaponized, with direct impacts on livelihoods, health, and stability. At the same time, women remain largely excluded from negotiation and decision-making processes, despite being among the most affected.

In response, the Initiative on Empowering Women in Water Diplomacy in the MENA Region, led by the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) in collaboration with the Geneva Water Hub, is working to strengthen women’s leadership in water diplomacy.

Building on a regional study and the contributions of nearly 100 women experts, the initiative focuses on developing practical negotiation skills adapted to complex and high-pressure environments. These include managing deadlocks, navigating multi-stakeholder dynamics, and leading dialogue processes in fragile contexts.

In 2026, this effort is reinforced through a partnership with the Negotiation Council Geneva, combining expertise in water diplomacy and high-stakes negotiation to support women as leaders in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and sustainable water governance.

Access the initiative paper here