The critical role of women in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Sustainability programmes

The absence and exclusion of women from the design and planning of community water supply, sanitation programmes and projects forms a major barrier to sustainable development.

Water burden on women and girls includes risks associated with personal health and safety and time taken from education and family. The fact that women and girls are exclusively responsible for collecting water exacerbates gender inequality especially given that time for other activities such as schooling, leisure and business is often spent travelling long distances to fetch water.

Our research on this area along of that of others highlights the need for inclusion of women into all efforts geared towards improving the quality, accessibility and sustainability of water.

Considering the relationship between women and water, women are eoften more knowledgeable of water resources, quality, availability and accessibility. However, the gender roles of women in the community do not allow them to actively participate in community development activities. The handling of the responsibility of domestic water collection and management to women in many communities, imply that women are to a great extent knowledgeable of water related issues including the quality, availability and location of water sources.

Women’s participation in interventions in areas of limited water and hygiene supplies can bring distinct benefits to water sanitation and hygiene as a whole. Thus, for any effective use and functioning of water supply and sanitation facilities, the involvement of users, who by and large are women is key, as they play a very fundamental role in the management and use of water.

Also, including women in training and capacity building will significantly contribute to the identification of resolutions and recommendations to improve water quality, access and sanitation facilities.

To find out more about this topic take a look at our Little Book on this subject available in English, French and Portuguese, as well as detailed and transdisciplinary literature review on this.