Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion
The Australian Water Partnership (AWP) recognises that the integration of Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in its activities will lead to more equitable and sustainable outcomes. For this to be realised for all people, it is necessary to address GEDSI throughout our work to improve water governance, policies, strategies and service delivery in Australia and the region. The AWP has an established GEDSI Policy (2019-2023) and a resource document, Addressing Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in AWP concepts, proposals and tenders: Guidance for Partners, which assists partners in considering GEDSI components for activity submissions and implementation. In line with the policy, AWP strives to support partners in their capacity to consider and include GEDSI in their work.
The AWP Strategic Plan (2023–2028) reinforces AWP’s commitment to value and promote inclusion and diversity by prioritising the most poor and vulnerable. It recognises GEDSI as a key strategic direction and cross-cutting issue across all our activities. This is consistent with the commitment outlined in Australia’s new International Development Policy to support specific gender equality, disability equity and rights initiatives and ensure all development programs contribute to these elements. It also reinstates a target for 80 per cent of all development investments to address gender equality effectively and the requirement for new investments of more than $3 million to include gender equality objectives. AWP’s strategic priority is to shift towards a more human rights- based approach and ensure that the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’ is implemented across AWP’s portfolio of work in the region.
