The 40-day Lenten period begins on 18 February with the observance of Ash Wednesday. On this day, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Water Network will launch the Seven Weeks for Water campaign with a prayer service.
This year's campaign aligns with the 2026 World Water Day theme set by UN-Water, which focuses on water and sanitation's role in gender equality - also a priority focus of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in 2026. Across the world, millions of women and girls bear the heaviest burden of water scarcity - walking long distances to collect water, excluded from decisions about its use, and disproportionately affected when safe sanitation is absent. Water justice is inseparable from gender justice. In response, the Seven Weeks for Water campaign invites churches and communities to reflect on this reality and act in faith and solidarity.
As part of the Lenten campaign, the WCC Ecumenical Water Network will offer short biblical-theological reflections and resources on water and gender equality. Written by prominent theologians and church leaders from around the world, these reflections will be available in multiple languages on the WCC Ecumenical Water Network webpage and shared across WCC platforms. Member churches are encouraged to use these materials throughout Lent, engaging in prayer, reflection, and action to uphold the sacred responsibility of caring for God's creation and all who depend on it.
Visit this page throughout the Lenten season to access new reflections, published weekly. Together, through prayer, reflection, and action, we can honour our responsibility to protect our water resources and ensure that no one is left behind.
Topics of reflections, authors, and publication dates:
16 March 2026
Week 5 - Sanitation for dignity: WASH for an inclusive future - Perspectives from Norwegian Church Aid
09 March 2026
Week 4 - Women and Water: Etsutchukha! When a perennial lake runs out of life
02 March 2026
Week 3 - Fields, Food, and Water: Women and Men, Agriculture, and the WASH Connection
23 February 2026
Week 2 - Water and conflict: How accessibility is ensured in conflict zones for marginalized groups
18 February 2026
Week 1 - Climate resilient communities in the context of WASH
Below, you find links to the reflections from previous editions of the campaign.