World Water Day: Women Farmers at the Center of the Discussion on Water Management in Kosovo

On the occasion of World Water Day 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure and the Embassy of Switzerland, through the IWRM-K Program, marked this important day by gathering institutional representatives, women farmers, and NGOs, in a dynamic and inspiring dialogue under the global theme: “Where water flows, equality grows.”

The activity was held within the framework of the UN global theme for 2026, which placed women and girls at the center of the global discussion on sustainable water management, giving voice to the concrete challenges that women farmers face every day in Kosovo.

The event gathered representatives from public institutions, civil society organizations, academia, and women farmers from all over Kosovo, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in ensuring equal access to water resources.

In her opening speech, Ms. Fitore Pacolli Dalipi, Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, underlined that fair and equal access to water is not only a human necessity but also a matter of social justice and sustainable development. She emphasized that when women and girls are included in decision-making and daily water management practices, they not only preserve natural resources but contribute directly to the economic development of families and communities. The Minister recalled Kosovo's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 6: water security and wastewater treatment for all by 2030, and called for policies and practices that empower women as key actors in water management.

From the international perspective and simultaneously as a donor of the IWRM-K Program, Ms. Beate K. Elsasser, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Kosovo, reaffirmed continuous support for initiatives that link sustainable water management with gender equality and rural development. “Water is not only the most valuable natural resource – access to water is a fundamental human right and a key pillar of sustainable development. Switzerland has been a dedicated partner in this journey, with a long-term commitment to supporting water management and strengthening institutions that provide quality services,” emphasized Ms. Elsasser.

The discussion focused on the real experiences of women farmers and sector actors, reflecting on the link between planning, protection of water resources, and gender equality, as well as the importance of institutional coordination for fairer and more sustainable management.

The panelists shared practical examples from the field, stressing that the lack of sustainable access to water remains one of the main obstacles to the development of women-led farms, while cooperation, training, and knowledge exchange are key to improving the situation. The discussion highlighted that to produce one liter of milk, 3 to 4 liters of water are needed, while Kosovo processes about 100,000 tons of milk annually throughout the value chain. The discussion focused on challenges in access to water and irrigation infrastructure in rural areas, the role of civil society in empowering communities and raising awareness, as well as concrete practices in agriculture and beekeeping, which show that sustainable water management directly affects production, biodiversity, and economic well-being.

"Where water flows, equality grows" is not just a symbolic message, but a concrete approach to sustainable development, women's empowerment, and the improvement of life in rural communities.

The event concluded with an exhibition by environmental photographer Arian Mavriqi, as well as an open discussion and networking among the participants, aiming to strengthen cooperation between institutions, donors, and communities for more comprehensive policies and practices in the water sector.

About IWRM-K

The Integrated Water Resources Management in Kosovo Program (IWRM-K) is a transformative 12-year initiative of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Government of Kosovo which aims to strengthen water governance, improve access to water services, and promote gender equality in the management of natural resources in Kosovo.

The Program is implemented by SKAT Consulting Ltd. and the Austrian Environment Agency.