Water, Sanitation and Culture Water, Sanitation and Gender 1 Stefanie Kaiser, seecon international gmbh

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Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: Contents 1. Introduction 2. Gender, Water and Sanitation 3. Gender and School Sanitation 4. Gender Issues in Sustainable Sanitation (EcoSan) 5. Gender Mainstreaming in Sanitation 6. References 3

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene is one of the Most Observable Divides between Women and Men 1. Introduction Societal barriers often restrict women’s involvement in decision-making processes. Source: [Accessed: ] The provision of hygiene and sanitation are usually considered women’s tasks. Source: [Accessed: ]

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: Gender identifies the social relationships between women and men. In these, power differences play a major role. Gender relations are context specific and change to altering circumstances. There are various underlying factors of gender relations: Class Age Race Ethnicity Culture Religion Urban/rural context Terminology 5 1. Introduction Source: [Accessed: ] Adapted from SUSANA (2009)

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: Vision of human rights incorporates the acceptance of equal and inalienable rights of women and men Gender equality = Equal visibility, opportunities and participation of women and men in all spheres of public and private life. However, gender inequality is one of the most pervasive forms of inequality worldwide. UN (2007) But important progress is made (e.g. school enrolment) Gender Equality - Vision of Human Rights 6 1. Introduction Adapted from SUSANA (2009)  Gender equality is crucial for: Well-being of individuals Evolution of societies Development of countries ≈

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: Water is necessary for a lot of women’s responsibilities: The provision of hygiene and sanitation are often considered women’s tasks. Women have accumulated considerable knowledge about water resources, including location, quality and storage methods. Water and Sanitation in the Daily Life of Women 7 2. Gender, Water and Sanitation Drinking Food production & preparation Care of domestic animals Personal hygiene Care of the sick Cleaning Washing Waste disposal Women carrying water vessels. Source: CONRADIN (2007)

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: Role of Women in Water and Sanitation Programs 8 2. Gender, Water and Sanitation Source: [Accessed: ] Despite their central role in water management, societal barriers often restrict women’s involvement in decisions regarding toilets, sanitation and water programs... SuSanA (2009) Women’s involvement in decisions is crucial. Source: [Accessed: ©] results in gender-specific failures: toilets facing the street in which women feel insecure public toilets not allowing for standing or squatting (hygiene) flush toilets require more work for women etc.

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: Safety and Privacy are Women’s Main Concerns for Sanitation HANNAN & ANDERSSON ( Gender, Water and Sanitation Source: [Accessed: ] Women, more than men, suffer from: Indignity to defecate and urinate in the open. Risk of assault, rape outside the village as well as in urban areas. COHRE et al. (2008) Poor hygienic conditions of public sanitary facilities. Waiting until dark, drinking less, ‘holding out’ or modifying their diets. This causes physical harm and all kinds of health problems.

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: A Neglected Problem in Many Parts of the World Gender and School Sanitation Hygienic conditions are often very poor (e.g. missing of hand-washing facilities and separate individual cabins). ÔGirls at puberty miss school or even drop out of their schools (e.g. in rural Pakistan 50% of girls drop out of school in grade 2-3). GWA (2006), HANNAN and ANDERSSON (2002), UNICEF (2008) ÔLack of adequate toilets and hygiene in schools is a key critical barrier to girl school attendance and girls education. Source: [Accessed: ]

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: Gender perspectives of sustainable sanitation projects have not been fully explored yet Gender Issues in Sustainable Sanitation (EcoSan) Positive Effects for Women: Women’s attitudes towards reuse-oriented toilets seem more positive than those of men. More willing to use the fertiliser. Could play an important role in motivating and educating others to use reuse-oriented toilets. Reduces work burden to provide water. Negative Effects for Women: Sustainable sanitation systems require more work in cleaning, maintenance, and application of urine and faeces. As women do much of that work, that could add to their work burden. Use of urine diverting toilets is a little more complicated for women. Adapted from SUSANA (2009); HANNAN and ANDERSSON (2002)

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: Integrate a Gender Perspective in Sustainable Sanitation Planning, Design and Implementation Gender Mainstreaming in Sanitation Design Evaluation Monitoring Implementation Making the concerns and experiences of women, as well as of men, an integral part of policies and programs. Gender mainstreaming = Assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action. ECOSOC (1997)

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: Guiding Questions to Integrate a Gender Perspective Gender Mainstreaming in Sanitation 1. Gender specific needs, interests & priorities? 4. Location & design reflect the needs of men & women? 2. Institutional barriers to involvement or access to resources? 5. Technology reflects women’s & men’s priorities & needs? 3. How will the program affect women & men? 6. Gender balance in decision-making? Sustainable Sanitation Planning >> Design >> Implementation Adapted from SUSANA (2009); COHRE et al. (2008); UN WATER (2006); ADB (1998; 2006); UNICEF (2008) and VAN WIJK-SYBESMA (1998)

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: References ADB (Editor) (1998): Gender Guidelines in Water Supply and Sanitation. Checklist. Manila: Asian Development Bank. ADB (Editor) (2006): Setting the Scene: Water, Poverty, and the MDGs. Asia Water Watch Manila: Asian Development Bank. URL: [Accessed: ]. COHRE (Editor); WATERAID SDC (Editor); UN-HABITAT (Editor) (2008): Sanitation: A human Rights Imperative. Geneva: Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE). ECOSOC (Editor) (1997): Mainstreaming the gender perspective into all policies and agendas in the United Nations system. New York: United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). GWA (2006): Sanitation and Hygiene. Chapter 3.4. In: Gender and IWRM Resource Guide. URL: [Accessed: ]. HANNAN, C.; ANDERSSON, I. (Editor) (2002): Gender Perspectives on Ecological Sanitation. Stockholm: EcoSanRes. URL: [Accessed: ]. SUSANA (Editor) (2009): SuSanA Factsheet: Integrating a Gender Perspective in Sustainable Sanitation. Eschborn: Sustainable Sanitation Alliance Working Group on Gender. URL: library?view=ccbktypeitem&type=2&id=1187library?view=ccbktypeitem&type=2&id=1187 [Accessed: ]. UN (Editor) (2007): The Millennium Development Goals Report. New York: United Nations (UN). URL: millenniumgoals/pdf/mdg2007.pdfmillenniumgoals/pdf/mdg2007.pdf [Accessed: ]. UNICEF (Editor) (2008): Water, Environment and Sanitation. 10 Key Points to Check for Gender Equity; a checklist for managers of water and sanitation programs. New York: United Nation’s Children’s Fund. URL: index_key_points.htmlindex_key_points.html [Accessed: ].

Water, Sanitation and Gender Find this presentation and more on: References UN WATER (Editor) (2006): Gender, Water and Sanitation: a Policy Brief. New York: United Nations (UN). URL: [Accessed: ]. VAN WIJK-SYBESMA, C. (1998): Gender in Water Resources Management, Water Supply and Sanitation: roles and realities revisited. Delft: International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC). URL: [Accessed: ].

Water, Sanitation and Culture 16 “Linking up Sustainable Sanitation, Water Management & Agriculture” SSWM is an initiative supported by: Created by: