In a spirited exchange of ideas and aspirations, Dr. Rose Christine Kaggwa, Senior Vice President of the International Water Association (IWA), shared a light yet impactful moment with Hon. Abida Sidik Mia, Malawi’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, on the sidelines of the 95th STC in Lilongwe.

The two leaders engaged in a candid discussion on the critical role of women in advancing the global water agenda and the importance of breaking barriers in traditionally male dominated spaces. Dr. Kaggwa emphasized the need for continued representation and leadership of women in water governance at all levels.

As part of the conversation, Dr. Kaggwa extended an invitation to Hon. Mia to attend the upcoming World Water Development Congress, slated for December in Bangkok. She highlighted the Congress as a key platform for knowledge exchange and global collaboration under the IWA mandate.

In her capacity as Chairperson of the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) Assembly under UN-Habitat, Dr. Kaggwa also emphasized the transformative role of Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) in building the capacity of utilities across the Global South. The Hon. Minister welcomed the update and expressed optimism upon learning that several utilities in the region have already benefitted from WOPs.

Further strengthening the dialogue between science and practice, Dr. Kaggwa shed light on the Global Sanitation Graduate School (GSGS) initiative and its efforts to foster innovation and capacity building through regional hubs. Hon. Mia was pleased to learn that the East and Southern Africa Regional Hub is hosted by Uganda’s National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), a sign of strong regional leadership in sanitation training and applied research.

Their exchange reaffirmed the growing network of women leaders shaping the future of water and sanitation across Africa and beyond.