THE MARCH FOR WATER IS OVER FOR THIS YEAR!

Wow, what a walked – we didn't quite make it all the way, but it was close!

A total of 3,114 people walked in this year's March for Water and we were so close to the goal: 616,933,812 steps walked together. Unfortunately, despite our efforts, we did not reach 703 million steps. Perhaps this will give us a better understanding of how many people actually lack clean water? So let's keep fighting.

"I am so happy that so many people chose to get involved in the March for Water this year. It says something about how strong the will is to reach our goal: that all people have access to clean water, toilets and sanitation. It is possible. Thank you very much for joining us. We hope you will be with us next year too", says Anna Nilsdotter, CEO of WaterAid.

And the steps are not everything! We are delighted with all the generous donations received during the March for Water: a total of more than SEK 640,000, which could cover up to 9,051 taps. It is amazing what we can achieve together!

Thank you to all businesses, municipalities and municipal companies for their involvement in March for Water. You have walked, organised events, tried carrying water bottles and helped us spread knowledge through your social channels. A big thank you to: Xylem, Nilörn, Gant, Aveki, Alnarp cleanwater, Savtec, Uniwater, Envidan, Swedish Hydro Solutions, Hässleholm kommun, Hässleholm Miljö , Hässlehem , Hässleholms Industribyggnads AB (HIBAB) , Hässleholms Fibernät , Tranås kommun, Uppsala Vatten och Avfall, MittSverige Vatten & Avfall, Gästrike Vatten, Vakin, Trollhättan Energi, Svenskt Vatten, Future Solutions and Tekniska verken i Linköping. It is you who make March for Water!

Read more about the companies did

And a big thank you to illustrator Alva Skog who made the fantastic artwork for the campaign!

Read more about their work here

WHAT IS MARCH FOR WATER ABOUT?

Every day, millions of girls and women all over the world walk for hours in search of water. Water that is dirty and hazardous to drink. It's time to change that! Access to clean water is a human right. Support the fight for everyone's right to clean water by joining the March for Water.

703 million people lack access to clean water today. In 8 out of 10 households without access to water, the task of fetching water for the family falls on girls and women.

Fetching water can take several hours a day. This means that many women do not have time to work and many girls are forced to drop out of school. This leads to a greater risk of being trapped in long-term poverty.

To highlight everyone's right to clean water, WaterAid runs the March for Water campaign every March, highlighting the impact of the water crisis on girls and women worldwide. The goal is to take 703 million steps together - one for every person living without clean water.

When you get involved in March for Water, you contribute to a more equal world while having fun with others!

The March for Water app can easily be downloaded from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).

Our partners

We are delighted that Weight Watchers Swedenis a partner of the March for Water for the third year in a row! The partnership means they are engaging their members to walk for clean water. In addition to Weight Watchers Sweden, many other companies have chosen to support the fight for the right of all women and girls to clean water.

Would your company or association also like to get involved in the March for Water?

Contact us at: [email protected]

How does it help women and girls in vulnerable parts of the world that we walk?

By registering your steps, you are helping to raise awareness of the lack of clean water and how it affects girls and women the most.

Through the March for Water campaign, we are raising awareness of the problem together, and encouraging people to get involved by spreading information and supporting WaterAid's work through donations or their own fundraising efforts. With this support, we can reach more people in the world with clean water, contributing to a more equal world. 

Several companies, associations and schools are also taking part in the campaign, raising awareness and contributing through fundraisers or donations so that we can reach more people with clean water. 

How does the lack of water, toilets and hygiene affect the lives of women and girls?

The consequences of the lack of clean water, toilets and hygiene often hit women and girls particularly hard as they have to spend time and energy fetching water. This often leads to inability to work or attend school. 

The lack of toilets can also pose a safety risk for women and girls. When toilets are not available at home, in schools, hospitals or other public places, many are forced to relieve themselves outdoors, often in secluded places under the cover of darkness. For women and girls, this can mean an increased risk of harassment and abuse.

For example, giving birth without clean water, toilets or washing facilities is directly life-threatening and leads to the death of many women and newborn babies from preventable infections.

How is WaterAid working to ensure that all women and girls have access to clean water?

WaterAid works to increase access to clean water, toilets and good hygiene in communities where it is currently lacking. WaterAid often works with a strong focus on schools and hospitals so that girls can get an education and women can give birth without risking death from infections.  

When WaterAid drills wells or builds toilets, we are mindful to make sure there are opportunities for women to mobilize and learn about the process. When women take responsibility for designing, implementing and maintaining projects, it leads to increased economic opportunities, independence and empowerment in the community. By improving access to clean water, WaterAid aims to contribute to work towards a more equal world where fewer women are trapped in long-term poverty and where the human rights of all women are respected.