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I always knew that in rural areas of South Africa, it is primarily women who are responsible for water collection and provision. Even so, when I dug into the statistics I was taken aback at just how overwhelming the gender disparity is. Studies show that in our communities, adult women make up 56% of water bearers, and female children 31%. This means that from a young age, the gender roles are enforced. Adult men represent only 3% of water collection.  

This daily task often requires women and girls to walk several kilometres, a task that can consume up to eight hours of a day. This can limit access to education and work and poses health risks and exposure to potential danger. 

Imagine then, my pride that some of my colleagues are working so hard to alleviate this situation upstream. One such colleague is Sibahle Sibiya. As a Project Coordinator for Water Stewardship at WWF, she works in the Southern Drakensberg. Her role centres on building partnerships with communities, government and private sector stakeholders to improve water security through inclusive and sustainable practices. Her work continues the two-decade legacy of WWF driving water stewardship initiatives with communities and corporations, identifying risks to water security, and protecting landscapes like wetlands and grasslands which are crucial for natural water systems. 

I recently caught up with her to hear more about her work in water security and her insights on protecting this life-giving force that many of us in urban areas take for granted. 

Historically, women in South Africa have played a central role as water bearers. How has this influenced your understanding of water stewardship? 

Women have long managed household water, often walking far to collect it. They are the ones who understand local sources and the impact of scarcity. Their lived experience brings vital insight. That’s why I see water stewardship as more than science or policy; it must honour traditional roles and lived realities. When women’s knowledge is acknowledged, solutions are more grounded and effective.  

How do you empower local women and girls through your work, and why is this important for the broader community?   

Empowerment starts by creating space for women’s voices and leadership. In my work, this means prioritising women for training in land and water management, supporting female-led cooperatives and making community dialogue platforms inclusive. We often host workshops on water stewardship and restoration specifically for women. This empowerment has a ripple effect. When women are confident and equipped, they reinvest in their communities and drive change. 

What inspired you to dedicate your career to water security and community engagement? 

Growing up in a rural area, I witnessed the challenges of unreliable access to clean water. Water is essential as it sustains people, agriculture, ecosystems and economies, but many communities still face daily uncertainty. I was drawn to water security because it links to justice and sustainability. Community engagement is vital because those living on the land are the real stewards of our water sources and I wanted to play a role in finding solutions.

Can you share a memorable experience where you saw the positive impact of your work on a community? 

A standout moment was a community session in Impendle under the Umkhomazi Catchment Working Group. The event brought together traditional leaders, women and youth to discuss invasive alien plant clearing and landscape restoration. Seeing young people and women confidently speak about their water challenges and hopes was powerful. Their growing sense of ownership where they'd previously been excluded was deeply moving and reminded me that water stewardship is about more than just technical fixes. 

In your view, how has the involvement of women in water management changed over the years in rural South Africa? 

There’s been real progress. While women have always been involved informally, we’re now seeing their inclusion in formal structures from community water committees to catchment forums. Capacity-building and awareness work are helping women step into leadership and influence decisions. However, challenges remain. It’s critical that their participation is meaningful, not token. Continued support through education, mentorship and inclusive governance is essential. 

After speaking to Sibahle, I was reminded of the urban-rural divide and the ease with which those of us in the cities access water. It is a world far away from rural women and children walking so far with buckets in their hands, and I can only but salute my colleagues like Sibahle in our Environmental Programme who have a deep understanding of how reliant we are on healthy ecosystems and why it’s important to empower the most marginalised when protecting such systems. Water is life, and it is incumbent on every single one of us to appreciate just how precious it is.