IWRA's Dahlia Sabri Provides International and Multicultural Perspectives on the Challenges Facing Women in Water and the Need for Action

Dahlia is a Civil Engineer and International Water Resources Association (IWRA) Water Quality Task Force Co-Chair whose international and multicultural perspectives on water were shaped, in part, by her educational background, including her bachelor's degree from Cairo University, her master's from Lund University in Sweden, and her PhD from TU Berlin in Germany. She stresses the value of international perspectives and multicultural experiences in the water resources field.

Dahlia stresses the need for action rather than just discussion at the UN Water Conference, which stresses themes such as climate change, sustainable development, health, cooperation, and transparency, as well as gender equity. She emphasizes the importance of working together diplomatically at all levels, from local to international, to address water-related issues.

Dahlia and DrCat discuss the need for more women in the water sector, highlighting the valuable skills and diversity they can bring to the field, including water required for food security, human health, and support of livelihoods. We discuss cultural and religious aspects that often limit women's opportunities in certain regions of the world, and the lack of support and social barriers that women in rural areas face in pursuing education and careers in engineering. Financial support is necessary to help these women overcome these barriers and continue their education.

While this pressure exists everywhere, it is particularly acute in the Middle East. The speaker notes that the situation in Egypt is improving, and while physical violence is not commonly reported among their acquaintances, societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles remains an issue. Dahlia shares about the discrimination and challenges women face in the workplace, particularly related to pregnancy and motherhood. They share personal experiences of being rejected from job opportunities or not being supported during maternity leave. They also mention the societal perception of women being solely responsible for household duties.

Dr. Cat and Dahlia discuss organizations promoting women's involvement in the water industry to bridge the gap between policy and science and improve communication between decision-makers and researchers. Supporting these organizations, particularly those with limited funding, is crucial, and having women and trans individuals in the water workforce is valuable. The speaker also mentions New York water week events and film festivals and UN Water Conference Side Events offered by IWRA including a program on Gender Equality in the Water Action Agenda.

The conversation highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion, particularly with regards to women's representation in leadership roles and events within various industries, and ends with a call to action for people to come together, communicate, and exchange knowledge and ideas, emphasizing that it is time for action.