It is with deep sadness that we inform our members and partners of the passing of Louisa Gosling, former Chair of the RWSN Executive Committee (2019-2022), former Theme Leader of the Leave No One Behind theme (2011- 2021), and a great champion of Human Rights to water and sanitation.

Louisa was an inspiration for many, including the younger generation of WASH professionals at the early stages of their career. For those who were fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to work with her in person, Louisa always taught them something new each time, and was never afraid to challenge - always politely - in a way that got people thinking more deeply, more widely and profoundly... Louisa was exceptionally engaged with and a constant source of support for professionals as the field of equity and inclusion evolved and new topics emerged. Her open-minded nature was one of the critical catalysts of the fast-paced progression of efforts to leave no one behind in the WASH sector globally, which clearly shone through her work for RWSN, whether it be through leading webinars, or her passionate involvement in RWSN online discussions. Louisa had a constant presence in the working lives of inclusion experts. She actively made efforts to ensure that the younger generation of professionals had a voice, striving to constantly give them a platform, whether it be through actively involving them as part of conference workshops to encouraging them to write about their work far and wide on platforms ranging from the SuSaNA forum through to WaterAid’s WASH Matters blog.

Her first-hand experience on the ground working with marginalised groups over the years shaped her leadership of the RWSN Leave no one behind theme, leaving an unparalleled legacy for theme leaders who would follow in her footsteps in years to follow.

You can follow Louisa’s funeral and memorial, and share your condolences with her family using the link below.

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