The first in Water for Women's systems strengthening learning note series, this note presents lessons from 20 civil society organisation-led projects about what it means to strengthen WASH systems when those systems are understood as networks of people and actors.

It finds that engagement with WASH systems must be context-specific; that understanding decision-making requires looking beyond formal power to hidden influence and social norms; that actor capacity and relationships are central to sustainable services; and that bringing rights holder organisations into WASH systems creates stronger, more diverse systems and advances gender equality, disability and social inclusion.