July 16, 2013: Women and girls disproportionately affected by water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges! How do we prevent it? Keep reading to know more!
An extensive study on gender differences in household access to drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) was conducted in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO.
Around the world, 1.8 billion(180 crore) people reside in homes without access to water, according to the study's results. It also showed that the worst effects of the water and sanitation crisis are more likely to be experienced by women and girls than by men and boys.
WASH- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is a WHO initiative to provide safe drinking water, healthy livelihoods and proper sanitisation.
WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) progress from 2000 to 2022:
The first detailed analysis of gender inequality in WASH, Special Focus on Gender, also points out that women and girls are more likely to feel uneasy using a toilet outside from the house and are more likely to experience the negative effects of poor hygiene.
The report claims that 1.8 billion people worldwide reside in homes without access to water. In 7 out of 10 of these homes, women and girls over the age of 15 are largely in charge of gathering water, as opposed to 3 out of 10 households for men.
Additionally, girls under 15 (7%) are more likely to fetch water than boys under 15 (4%) are.
Most often, women and girls travel farther to collect it, delaying their education, employment, and hobbies and increasing their risk of bodily harm and risks along the way.
The report also reveals that more than half of the world's population still share toilets with other homes, risking the safety, dignity, and privacy of women and girls. For instance, recent surveys from 22 countries reveal that women and girls are more likely than men and boys to feel unsafe traveling alone at night and to experience harassment from men and other safety issues in households with shared toilets.
Inadequate WASH services also limit women's and girls' access to safe and private menstruation control and raise health risks for them.
Women and adolescent girls in the poorest households and those with disabilities are most likely to lack a private area to wash and change among the 51 nations for which data are available.
Without the safety of handwashing, women and girls are often exposed to infections and other health concerns because they are frequently in charge of household duties and care for others, including cooking, cleaning, and attending to the sick. The amount of time girls spend on household tasks can also affect their likelihood of finishing secondary school and finding employment.
Today, 2 in 5 people do not have access to safe sanitation, and 1 in 4 people cannot wash their hands with soap and water at home. Additionally, 1 in 4 people still lack access to safely managed drinking water at home.
The report indicates progress in achieving universal access to WASH services. Between 2015 and 2022, there were notable improvements in household access to safe sanitation services (49% to 57%), safe drinking water (69% to 73%), and basic hygiene services (67% to 75%).
How do we prevent it ?
To meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of ensuring worldwide access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services by 2030, significant advancement is necessary. Specifically, there is a need for a six-fold increase in the current rate of progress for safely managed drinking water, a five-fold increase for safely managed sanitation, and a three-fold increase for basic hygiene services.
To promote gender equality through WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiatives, it is crucial to integrate gender perspectives into programs and policies. Additionally, it is important to gather and analyze data separately, focusing on specific groups such as women, girls, and other vulnerable populations. These actions will enable targeted efforts that address their unique needs.
A Vision for the Future
We need to consider gender issues in WASH. Women and girls must be included in the planning, decision-making, and governance of services in order for policies and action plans to effectively address their needs.
Ensuring that everyone has access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices (WASH) is extremely important for achieving the goals set for the year 2030, known as the 2030 Agenda. One crucial aspect of this is considering gender equality and fairness throughout the process. This means incorporating policies and strategies that treat women and men fairly and equally in all aspects of water and sanitation management.
By prioritizing gender equity in WASH policies, we can make significant progress in providing water and sanitation services to everyone. This, in turn, will contribute to the overall success of many other goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Agenda. For example, improving WASH facilities can help reduce poverty by creating healthier and more productive communities. Access to clean water and sanitation also plays a crucial role in improving people's health, enhancing educational opportunities, and enabling individuals to participate more effectively in work and economic activities.
By prioritizing gender equity in WASH policies, we can make significant progress in providing water and sanitation services to everyone. This, in turn, will contribute to the overall success of many other goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Agenda. For example, improving WASH facilities can help reduce poverty by creating healthier and more productive communities. Access to clean water and sanitation also plays a crucial role in improving people's health, enhancing educational opportunities, and enabling individuals to participate more effectively in work and economic activities.
.
