Water, Gender, and Community: Key Water Management Forum Inaugurated at UABCS in Baja California Sur for 2026

The Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS) became the epicenter of water dialogue this March 24, 2026, with the inauguration of the fourth edition of the Foro +Agua para BCS. Under the central theme of "Water, Gender, and Community," the event led by Rector Dr. Dante Salgado González and Dr. María Z. Flores, aims to highlight that access to water is not a universal experience. Women, girls, and rural communities often face the greatest management and hauling challenges in the state.

From hydrosociology and integrated water resources management perspectives, vulnerability to scarcity can be quantified using equity indicators. A model for measuring the Differentiated Access Index ($I_{ad}$) was presented, considering the time spent on water management by different demographic groups.

In 2026, UABCS emphasized that building dams is not enough; it is essential to understand who turns on the tap and under what conditions. Dr. Flores noted that the "modern narrative" of water in BCS must include digitalization and efficient reuse, especially in urban sectors.

In conclusion, the university community and the general public are recommended to follow the live broadcasts of the workshops to learn about the public policy proposals emerging from this meeting. For the remainder of the academic cycle, these proposals are expected to be integrated into the State Water Development Plan.