Transforming communities by access to water

World Water Day 2016: Water and Jobs

According to the United Nations, almost half of the world’s workers – 1.5 billion people – work in water-related sectors and nearly all jobs depend on water and those that ensure its safe delivery. Yet the millions of people who work in water are often not recognized or protected by basic labour rights.

Today is World Water Day, one of the observances marked by the United Nations, usually in connection with the Sustainable Development Goals. The theme is water and jobs. It is a day to reflect on how enough water, and its quality, can change workers’ lives and livelihoods. A day to consider how access to clean water can transform local communities and their economies. Like Vitoriano shown in the photograph (above), making a living for his family. He operates a small dairy farm. Just a few milking cows, made possible thanks to the installation of a water well in his community near Pachacamac in the arid Pacific coastal desert strip, south of Lima, Peru.

Photography. Sustainability

For more photographs on sustainability themes and life in Peru please visit:

J. Ashley Nixon Photography