Podcast Summary: The Interview – Dr Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN Deputy Director for Women: Africa Must Prioritise Water Over War

Podcast: The Interview, BBC World Service
Episode Date: March 2, 2026
Host: Daniel Daze
Guest: Dr Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN Assistant Secretary-General & Deputy Executive Director for UN Women
Location: African Union (AU) Summit, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the urgent need for African leaders to prioritize water access and sanitation over military spending and conflict, as articulated by Dr. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda at the African Union Summit. The conversation deeply explores the gendered impacts of water scarcity, the long-term effects of war—especially in Sudan—on women and children, and the concrete steps needed for Africa to deliver on its promises regarding sustainable water. The episode also discusses the mechanisms of accountability and the role of political will, highlighting Dr. Gumbonzvanda’s insistence that action should not wait for future generations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sudan’s Humanitarian Crisis and the Cost of War

[02:41] Dr. Gumbonzvanda on Sudan:

• Peace as the Only Viable Solution: She emotionally described how the ongoing conflicts, especially in Sudan, have left deep scars, disproportionately affecting women and children through atrocities and displacement.
• She highlights Africa’s historical resilience:

  “This continent experienced colonialism and slavery for centuries... But peace arrived... because discussions and negotiations became a priority. The Sudan today needs a solid political solution to stop the guns, for people to go back home, for mothers to heal from the rape and atrocities, for the children to go back to school, to have hope.” (Dr. Gumbonzvanda, [02:41])

• Emphasized regional and global responsibility, calling peace “a responsibility to Sudan at this moment for peace.”

2. Water as a Foundation for Gender Equality and Economic Growth

[03:47] Dr. Gumbonzvanda on Everyday Realities:

• Women at the Center of Water Crisis:

  “…when a woman or a little girl wakes up every day, they start by having to wash their hands, provide for the family... Quality, accessible, clean water for everyday care, responsibilities. That's the first and that's not where we are as yet.” ([03:47])

• Water’s Extended Impact: Beyond household needs, access to water ties directly to economic opportunity, especially for women entrepreneurs, public health, education, and productivity.

[05:52] Practical Solutions:

• Resource Prioritization:

  “Government's prioritization of resources, because it's doable...for our countries to be able to prioritize domestic resources... facilitate access to clean accessible and affordable water, because that lies at the heart of care.” ([05:52])

• Indigenous Knowledge & Environmental Protection: She praised traditional wisdom in environmental management and stressed the importance of protecting key water resources (like the Congo Basin and wetlands) and learning from local practices.
• Reallocation from Military to Social Needs:

  “The question for me was, how much is Africa spending on military, on wars, when dialogue can be fostered... millions of dollars can be saved and those millions... go to water and sanitation, can go to education and healthcare.” ([08:56])

3. Political Will, Budgeting, and Governance

[09:09] On Africa’s Water Budgets:

• Dr. Gumbonzvanda acknowledges AU’s decision to make water and sanitation the 2026 theme:

  “The political will that is there starts with just recognizing that this year the African Union has made a decision to give Water and sanitation is the theme of the year. That's the first bold step...” ([09:09])

• Calls for follow-through:

  "...needs to be accompanied by doable, tangible interventions related to access to the services and the availability."

• Warns about the risks of privatizing water access and deepening inequality: “The essence of water and inequalities is very important because at times the poor cannot afford water even if the instruments are there.”

[11:57] On Sustained Impact and Timelines:

• Cautiously optimistic that this year can be a turning point but notes that transformation takes time. She references past successful AU conventions (e.g., on ending violence against women) as models.
• Insists on embedding water within the 2030 Agenda, rather than waiting until 2063:

  “We have an expectation that Africa will prioritize water and sanitation within the 2030 Agenda...” ([11:57])

4. Accountability and Progress Tracking

[17:51] Need for a Scorecard:

• Dr. Gumbonzvanda strongly advocates for transparent progress tracking:

  “The tools for measuring progress on issues like water and sanitation needs to be more than a case study in a report...We need to be monitoring progress at scale in the communities.” ([17:51])

• Proposes an Africa-wide "scorecard" accessible even at the village level, tracking school access, water quality, and issues like menstrual health.
• Cites the fundamental right to water:

  “Water and sanitation is a basic right...it's a basic right which needs to be resourced, prioritized and funded.”

5. Conflict Resolution, Sanctions, and Women’s Voices

[21:08] On Sudan and International Responsibility:

• Urgency for a ceasefire:

  “The women of the Sudan...said yesterday to the Quintet is stop the war. We need a ceasefire. We need healing, we need trust. Stop the arms trades which might be there. Where are the weapons coming from? Who is fueling? Who is benefiting from the war?” ([21:08])

• Links peace to broader history:

  “It's a scar on humanity for us to continue to have the situation we have in Sudan, peace is possible...” ([21:45])

[24:04] On Sanctions and Inclusion:

• Supports using international sanctions as a tool if needed for peace, but stresses centering women in negotiations as required by UN Security Council Resolution 1325:

  “Women have to be on the table, their rights have to be protected, they need to be part of the solutions.” ([24:04])

• Calls for stronger action from AU and UN bodies, not just statements.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Water and Gender:
  “It is the women who hold the household and the community in relationship to water every day for the reproduction of society.” (Dr. Gumbonzvanda, [09:09])

• On Water as Power and Peace:
  “Before we take medicine...you need water. When a visitor arrives at home...you give them a cup of water. It cements well-being, relationship, social cohesion.” (Dr. Gumbonzvanda, [17:51])

• On Priorities:
  “Africa is flowing with resources...But at times...there’s no toilets with running water in a country which is rich with possibilities.” ([05:52])

• On Progress and Patience:
  “My confidence is grounded on how we start by raising the bar… It might not be tomorrow, but it should not be by 2063.” ([11:57])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:41: Dr. Gumbonzvanda discusses Sudan’s ongoing crisis and the necessity for political solutions and peace.
• 03:47-05:52: The intersection of water, gender, and economic empowerment.
• 05:52-09:09: Practical steps for prioritizing water, leveraging resources, and indigenous knowledge.
• 11:17-11:57: Reflections on AU commitment, governance, follow-through, and realistic expectations.
• 17:51: Argument for a scorecard and practical progress tracking across Africa.
• 21:08-24:04: The call for action and peace in Sudan and the role of sanctions and international cooperation.
• 24:04-25:14: Emphasizing women’s inclusion in peace processes and holding institutions accountable.

Conclusion

Dr. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda persuasively argues that for Africa’s future, its leaders must urgently prioritize water and sanitation above war and military spending. Throughout the episode, she grounds her analysis both in practical solutions and a compassionate, lived understanding of the daily struggles facing African women and children. She brings both a critical and optimistic lens: while acknowledging historic challenges with implementation, she calls for ambitious, actionable, and accountable leadership, and insists that gender equality and water access can and must be secured—not tomorrow, not in 50 years, but starting now.