Women, Water, and Systems Change: Insights and Actions from the WASH Field

In this talk, Dr Marielle Snel will present a study focused on the careers of mainly women who have worked in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector for more than fifteen years. Including insights from experienced professionals in both humanitarian and development settings, the study examines how women think about their careers, identities, motivations, and leadership paths in a field often influenced by deep-rooted structural and gender issues. The findings present a complex view. Women in WASH show strong commitment, resilience, and a sense of belonging to the sector. However, they also face ongoing challenges related to gender norms, organizational structures, and work-life balance. This practical research goes beyond basic surveys and token gender discussions. It focuses on real experiences to better understand the root causes of inequality as identified by the participants. The talk will conclude with a discussion of ways to foster change and highlight recommendations from practitioners that aim to create more equitable, supportive, and empowering work environments in the WASH sector.

Dr. Marielle Snel is a senior Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialist with over 25 years of experience living and working across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. She is currently Head of WASH for Solidarités International in Yemen, providing strategic, technical, and operational leadership for large-scale, multi-sector WASH programmes in complex humanitarian and development contexts. Her expertise spans integrated WASH, climate resilience, and community health, with strong experience in programme design, grants management, monitoring and evaluation, and donor compliance. She has held senior advisory and leadership roles with international NGOs and research institutions, working closely with governments, UN agencies, and partners to deliver sustainable and inclusive WASH responses. She has an extensive publication record spanning books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and technical sector guidance, reflecting more than two decades of applied research and operational learning in WASH. Her publications address climate change, water scarcity, conflict, displacement, integrated WASH with health and nutrition programming, and the humanitarian–development nexus, and are published by leading academic and practitioner outlets including Routledge, Practical Action, Waterlines, Sustainability, and the Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development. She has also led and contributed to widely used technical guidelines, policy briefs, and sector manuals supported by organizations such as UNICEF, the World Bank, WHO, IRC, and World Vision, influencing WASH policy and practice at global, regional, and country levels.

This event is part of the Oxford Water Network Hilary Term 2026 Seminar Series. Refreshments will be provided after the talk. Please email [email protected] if you have any specific requirements to be able to access this event. The Diversity Room is on the ground floor of the School of Geography and the Environment in the Dyson Perrins Building - there is a ramp to enter the building.

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