The Interview Dr Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN deputy director for women: Africa must prioritise water over war
Mar 2, 2026
Dr Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN Assistant Secretary-General and women's rights advocate, calls for urgent focus on water, sanitation and protection for women and children in conflict zones. She argues for redirecting resources from military spending to basic services. She outlines practical steps like local leadership, monitoring scorecards, and stronger regional and UN action for Sudan.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Water Is Core To Care Economy And Livelihoods
- Clean, accessible water is central to everyday care and economic life, not just infrastructure or utilities.
- Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda links water access to caregiving, market trade, girls' schooling and climate resilience in African communities.
Prioritise Domestic Budgets For Water Now
- Prioritise domestic public spending to fund water and sanitation from national budgets rather than waiting for external aid.
- Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda urged governments to reallocate resources and protect water sources like the Congo Basin now.
Protect Watersheds And Use Indigenous Knowledge
- Protecting natural water systems and respecting indigenous knowledge prevents long-term water loss and degradation.
- She names wetlands and Congo Basin stewardship, and warns against cutting critical forests and harmful riverbank mining.