BukSU, PAWD Research to Examine Gender in Water Access

A research initiative on how gender influences water access, sanitation, hygiene, and wastewater services in Philippine communities is the focus of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by Bukidnon State University (BukSU) and the Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD).

The agreement, signed on August 4, 2026, covers PAWD’s research project, “From Source to Sink: Exploring Gender Dynamics in Water Access and Use in the Philippines. The research is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN).”

The study seeks to collect sex-disaggregated data on water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and wastewater services to examine gender dynamics in water governance.

According to the MOA, the current work is the second phase of the research program following the completion of the initial phase covering Mindanao water districts. This phase will establish baseline statistics on water and wastewater services in water districts.

University Gender and Development Research and Resource Center Director Dr. Marichu B. Montecillo said the agreement supports Gender and Development initiatives in water governance.

“This milestone signifies a shared commitment to advancing Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives in water governance, fostering inclusive, equitable, and sustainable water resource management for communities,” Montecillo said.

Montecillo added that the MOA provides the framework for the conduct of the research and the delivery of research results that will serve as the basis for policy formulation and interventions related to gender and water services.