This year, the RWSN and Women in WASH Mentorship Programs welcomed 292 participants from 34 countries, with women making up 70% of participants. The Women in WASH program featured two tracks: the Near-Peer Program, for women at similar professional stages to exchange ideas, and the Traditional Program, pairing senior mentors with junior mentees. These tracks reflect a commitment to fostering tailored, inclusive support for professional growth in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector.
Key achievements include:
- Global Impact: 46% of mentors successfully matched with mentees, spanning technical areas like solar-powered water systems and groundwater management.
- Enhanced Accessibility: The PushFar platform allowed participants to self-select their mentors, a change driven by past feedback for better alignment of skills and goals.
- Career Development Focus: Mid-year survey insights highlighted career-building themes like funding WASH startups, professional communication, and balancing work-life challenges. Career Days sessions drew strong participation, spotlighting job searches and mid-career transitions.
- Community and Networking: Events like the Women’s Mingle in Stockholm and monthly office hours provided vital opportunities to connect and share experiences. Feedback suggested additional dynamic “speed-dating” and virtual workshops could further enrich these efforts.
Participants have shared remarkable testimonials about personal and professional growth. One mentee credited her mentor for inspiring confidence to leave a toxic workplace and pursue better opportunities, while another reported a boost in addressing complex challenges through regular mentoring discussions.
You can read similar testimonials from the 2024 cohort of mentors and mentees as part of our Voices of Change blog series.
Language Accessibility
Although the report is published in English, free translations in Spanish and French are available upon request. Please email info AT washagendaforchange.org to receive a PDF in your preferred language.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of the mentoring program, as we continue to connect and empower WASH professionals worldwide!