BETIO, TARAWA | TUNGARU PRESS | October 26, 2026
The Government of Kiribati has taken another step towards improving access to water services by bringing together government officials for a three-day training programme focused on gender equality, disability inclusion and community participation.
The Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Stakeholder Engagement Training was held from October 7 to 9, 2026, at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE) Conference Room in Betio, Tarawa.
The workshop brought together staff from MISE's Water Team and the Human Rights Office of the Ministry of Justice to strengthen inclusive approaches to water-sector planning and service delivery.
The training focused on ensuring that people from different backgrounds have opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their access to water.
Promoting Equal Participation in Water Management
A key objective of the workshop was to improve how government agencies engage with communities when planning and delivering water services.
Participants examined ways to ensure that women, young people, persons with disabilities, older persons and residents of outer islands are included in water-related discussions and decision-making.
The training recognised that different groups may face barriers to participating in public consultations or accessing essential services.
By identifying these challenges, officials explored ways to make water-sector programmes more accessible and responsive to community needs.
Building Knowledge and Practical Skills
During the three-day programme, participants strengthened their understanding of several approaches designed to support inclusive development.
These included Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles, the People-Centred Approach (PCA) and the PLANET Principles.
The sessions also covered stakeholder engagement and the water warrior mechanism.
Through discussions and practical activities, participants examined how these approaches could be applied to water governance and service delivery in Kiribati.
The workshop encouraged officials to consider the needs and experiences of different community groups when developing water-sector initiatives.
Identifying Barriers to Community Engagement
Participants took part in practical exercises, stakeholder mapping and action-planning sessions.
These activities helped them identify groups that may be underrepresented in water-sector decision-making.
They also explored opportunities to strengthen communication between government agencies and communities.
Particular attention was given to ensuring that people who may experience difficulties accessing information or participating in consultations are not overlooked.
The discussions highlighted the importance of meaningful community involvement when developing policies and services that affect daily life.
Supporting Water Security Across Kiribati
Access to safe and reliable water remains an important development priority for Kiribati, particularly for communities facing environmental and infrastructure challenges.
Inclusive planning can help government agencies better understand the needs of households and communities across the country.
For outer-island residents, persons with disabilities and other groups who may face additional barriers, opportunities to participate in water planning can help ensure their concerns are considered.
The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of government personnel to incorporate these considerations into future water-security initiatives.
Participants Develop Recommendations for Future Action
The workshop concluded with participants developing practical recommendations and identifying priority actions to improve community engagement.
These recommendations focused on strengthening inclusive approaches to water-sector planning and ensuring that different community groups have opportunities to contribute.
Participants also made commitments to apply the knowledge gained during the training to future water-security activities.
The outcomes are intended to support more people-centred water services and stronger cooperation between government agencies and the communities they serve.
The training represents an important effort to ensure that water-sector decisions in Kiribati consider the needs and voices of all community members, particularly those who may otherwise be excluded from planning processes.
Adapted and rewritten for Tungaru Press
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