1. What first drew you to the water and sanitation sector, and what has kept you committed to it over the years? My interest in the water and sanitation sector is deeply rooted in my childhood. I grew up in a rural village where sanitation facilities were almost non-existent. As a young girl, I witnessed firsthand the challenges women and girls faced in their daily pursuit of safe and dignified sanitation. These experiences made me realize early that sanitation is not only a technical issue but also one of dignity, safety, and equality.
Those early observations stayed with me and eventually shaped my professional path. Over the years, my work in research, innovation, and training has strengthened my commitment to improving sanitation systems and ensuring communities have access to safe and sustainable solutions. Seeing the impact that sanitation has on public health, gender equity, and environmental protection continues to inspire my work in the sector.
2. The water sector is still largely male dominated. What challenges did you face rising to leadership, and how did you navigate them? My early engineering training played a significant role in preparing me to work in male-dominated environments. During my undergraduate studies (BSc in Agricultural Engineering), we were only five women in a class of forty-five men. At the time, engineering was widely perceived as a male profession, and there was often an assumption that women might not continue or succeed in the field.
Training daily in such an environment was challenging but also very formative. Performing well academically in that space gave me the confidence to work effectively in male-dominated professional environments throughout my career. It taught me to believe in myself, remain confident in my expertise, and uphold my values regardless of the environment.
Mentorship has also played a critical role in my journey. I have been fortunate to benefit from mentors who believed in my potential and encouraged me to pursue leadership roles in the sector. In addition, strong institutional support from Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) has been instrumental in enabling my work and leadership in sanitation research, innovation, and training. This combination of mentorship, institutional support, resilience, and commitment to excellence helped me navigate challenges and grow into leadership within the sector.
3. What leadership decision or initiative are you most proud of in your current role? One of the initiatives I am most proud of is the establishment of the Sanitation Research Institute (SRI) at Meru University of Science and Technology. Through this initiative, we have worked to professionalize sanitation as an academic and professional discipline.
The institute has contributed to developing structured training pathways in sanitation, including PhD, MSc, and BSc programmes, as well as short professional courses for practitioners in the sector. By building academic capacity and strengthening professional training, we are helping to develop the next generation of sanitation experts who can design, implement, and manage sustainable sanitation systems across the region.
4. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Give to Gain.” What have you given to the water sector through your leadership, and what do you believe the sector gains from having more women in leadership? Through my leadership, I have focused on giving knowledge, mentorship, and opportunities to sanitation professionals, through capacity development, research, innovation and community outreach. One of the most rewarding aspects of this work has been mobilizing and securing sponsorship opportunities that have supported the training of more than 500 sanitation professionals through various academic and professional programmes. In doing so, we have intentionally maintained strong gender inclusion, with approximately a 60:40 balance of women to men supported through these opportunities.
When women take on leadership roles in the sector, the gains are significant. Women bring diverse perspectives, stronger community engagement, and deeper insights into how sanitation challenges affect households and communities. Increasing women’s participation in leadership strengthens innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in the water and sanitation sector.
5. What advice would you give to young women considering a career in the water and sanitation sector? The sanitation sector offers limitless opportunities to create meaningful and lasting impact. I encourage young women to pursue this field with confidence and curiosity. Build strong technical and leadership skills, remain open to learning, and seek mentors who can guide you along the way.
Do not be discouraged by stereotypes about technical professions. The sector needs innovative thinkers, committed professionals, and compassionate leaders. With dedication, resilience, and collaboration, young women can play a critical role in shaping the future of water and sanitation and improving lives for communities everywhere.
Dr. Joy Riungu’s work has earned her several accolades, including the African Women in WASH Award under the Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship category by the African Water and Sanitation Association _ Association Africaine de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement, recognizing her pioneering seeded container-based faecal sludge management system that promotes circular sanitation by transforming waste into valuable resources while strengthening climate-resilient, locally driven solutions.
#WomenWhoLeadinWASH: Dr. Joy Riungu, Director Sanitation Research Institute at Meru University
1. What first drew you to the water and sanitation sector, and what has kept you committed to it over the years?
My interest in the water and sanitation sector is deeply rooted in my childhood. I grew up in a rural village where sanitation facilities were almost non-existent. As a young girl, I witnessed firsthand the challenges women and girls faced in their daily pursuit of safe and dignified sanitation. These experiences made me realize early that sanitation is not only a technical issue but also one of dignity, safety, and equality.
Those early observations stayed with me and eventually shaped my professional path. Over the years, my work in research, innovation, and training has strengthened my commitment to improving sanitation systems and ensuring communities have access to safe and sustainable solutions. Seeing the impact that sanitation has on public health, gender equity, and environmental protection continues to inspire my work in the sector.
2. The water sector is still largely male dominated. What challenges did you face rising to leadership, and how did you navigate them?
My early engineering training played a significant role in preparing me to work in male-dominated environments. During my undergraduate studies (BSc in Agricultural Engineering), we were only five women in a class of forty-five men. At the time, engineering was widely perceived as a male profession, and there was often an assumption that women might not continue or succeed in the field.
Training daily in such an environment was challenging but also very formative. Performing well academically in that space gave me the confidence to work effectively in male-dominated professional environments throughout my career. It taught me to believe in myself, remain confident in my expertise, and uphold my values regardless of the environment.
Mentorship has also played a critical role in my journey. I have been fortunate to benefit from mentors who believed in my potential and encouraged me to pursue leadership roles in the sector. In addition, strong institutional support from Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) has been instrumental in enabling my work and leadership in sanitation research, innovation, and training. This combination of mentorship, institutional support, resilience, and commitment to excellence helped me navigate challenges and grow into leadership within the sector.
3. What leadership decision or initiative are you most proud of in your current role?
One of the initiatives I am most proud of is the establishment of the Sanitation Research Institute (SRI) at Meru University of Science and Technology. Through this initiative, we have worked to professionalize sanitation as an academic and professional discipline.
The institute has contributed to developing structured training pathways in sanitation, including PhD, MSc, and BSc programmes, as well as short professional courses for practitioners in the sector. By building academic capacity and strengthening professional training, we are helping to develop the next generation of sanitation experts who can design, implement, and manage sustainable sanitation systems across the region.
4. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Give to Gain.” What have you given to the water sector through your leadership, and what do you believe the sector gains from having more women in leadership?
Through my leadership, I have focused on giving knowledge, mentorship, and opportunities to sanitation professionals, through capacity development, research, innovation and community outreach. One of the most rewarding aspects of this work has been mobilizing and securing sponsorship opportunities that have supported the training of more than 500 sanitation professionals through various academic and professional programmes. In doing so, we have intentionally maintained strong gender inclusion, with approximately a 60:40 balance of women to men supported through these opportunities.
When women take on leadership roles in the sector, the gains are significant. Women bring diverse perspectives, stronger community engagement, and deeper insights into how sanitation challenges affect households and communities. Increasing women’s participation in leadership strengthens innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in the water and sanitation sector.
5. What advice would you give to young women considering a career in the water and sanitation sector?
The sanitation sector offers limitless opportunities to create meaningful and lasting impact. I encourage young women to pursue this field with confidence and curiosity. Build strong technical and leadership skills, remain open to learning, and seek mentors who can guide you along the way.
Do not be discouraged by stereotypes about technical professions. The sector needs innovative thinkers, committed professionals, and compassionate leaders. With dedication, resilience, and collaboration, young women can play a critical role in shaping the future of water and sanitation and improving lives for communities everywhere.
Dr. Joy Riungu’s work has earned her several accolades, including the African Women in WASH Award under the Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship category by the African Water and Sanitation Association _ Association Africaine de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement, recognizing her pioneering seeded container-based faecal sludge management system that promotes circular sanitation by transforming waste into valuable resources while strengthening climate-resilient, locally driven solutions.
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