Tickets for Water for People Gala on Sale Now
The Water For People DC Committee is proud and excited to present the 2011 “Women in Water Gala” to benefit Water for People. The Gala will take place in Washington, D.C., on June 13, 2011, and will bring together members of the water industry and the Washington, D.C., decision-making, policy, philanthropic and business communities. The theme, “Women in Water” is an important one. In developing countries women and children walk miles each day to secure water for their families and villages, often preventing them from earning an income or education.
Tickets to this important and fun gala are available for $60.00 by clicking here. Bring your colleagues and friends! Please forward this invitation to friends who may be interested in networking and raising awareness about global water challenges.
Invited speakers include: Elisa M. Speranza, President of CH2M HILL Operations & Maintenance Business Grouup, Ned Breslin, CEO of Water for People, Undersecretary of State Maria Otera, Summit on the Summit participants, and others!
Water For People helps people in developing countries improve their quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities and hygiene education programs. The water industry has long supported Water For People in recognition that the water and public health services we provide in the United States are a highly technical luxury. In fact, around the world, 884 million people do not have access to safe drinking water and 2.6 billion are without adequate sanitation facilities.
Sponsorship opportunities still exist! Please click here to learn more about sponsorship and about how your contribution can help to provide access to clean water and sanitation.
In support of the event, a group of female water professionals has started a Facebook page and fundraising effort. Please visit Women in Water on Facebook, @waterwonkette, or email for more information.
“The water and sanitation crisis affects billions of people every day, but the impact on women and girls is particularly devastating. Supporting initiatives that promote access to water for women and girls is a building block for community health with a ripple effect on social and economic empowerment. This is a win-win for everyone.” — Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company
Photo by Whitney Lauren (from wikimediacommons)
wH2O is a brand-new initiative at the University of Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Philadelphia Global Water Initiative, to provide a centralized location for research on global women and water/sanitation issues. We are publishing an academic journal in May 2012 (see our submit button to submit an abstract now!) and running a blog.
wH2O was started to harness the academic resources at Penn to join forces with businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and governments to bring this issue to the forefront of development and aid discussions. wH2O aims to consolidate and analyze information from the considerable efforts being done in this arena globally by Coca-Cola, USAID, Care, NetWWater, UN-FEM, and more.
Worldwide, women are tasked with gathering water, often carrying water long distances for many hours a day. Even in areas with piped water, intermittent and unpredictable supply means women must wait around and cannot work or go to school. Girls often drop out of school when they reach puberty due to a lack of latrines (and other factors).
We believe investing in providing well-designed, women-friendly water and sanitation access is an extremely effective way to elevate the status of women worldwide. Access to water and sanitation means that women can stay in school or learn a trade. It gives them options and dignity.
This blog will host pieces from everyone from students to business representatives. Submit your post today!