India, June 8 -- In many Indian homes, a bucket and mug and still do what long showers cannot - make every litre count. Behind this small everyday act of restraint is an efficiency that demonstrates a larger truth about water in Indian households. Those who manage it more closely, value it more deeply. And more often than not, that means women.

In many parts of the world, water scarcity is a gendered reality. Across large parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, women and girls continue to bear primary responsibility for securing water. But just as critically, they are also responsible for managing its use within the household. They decide how much water is allocated to cooking, cleaning, hygiene, and care. In periods of acute stress, t...