World Water Day 2020 is about water and climate change… and human beings. Especially in these difficult times when the whole humanity is tackling the outbreak of Coronavirus, we realise the priceless value of the right to health and to other social and economic rights. We cannot have health without clean water. These are basic human rights, essential to survive, not only for humans but also for the whole planet Earth.

Each year 12 million girls under 18 are married; 130 million girls worldwide are still out of school; and approximately 15 million adolescent girls aged 15-19 have experienced forced sexual activity. The EU is committed to continue its full support to see progress and not regress, for girls and women to achieve gender equality.