Strengthening Gender Integration in Sanitation Programming and Policy: Insights From Literature and Practice

Gender equality and inclusion are key aspects of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) service provision and systems. While efforts to identify and address the specific gendered implications of WASH go back decades, this area of work has advanced considerably over recent years. Efforts to integrate gender considerations in broader developmental programming have evolved from an instrumental approach towards a more transformational approach that supports dual outcomes in WASH and in gender equality more broadly. This trend also holds for work in the sanitation subsector.

This report presents the results of a rapid review of gender integration in sanitation work globally through a series of workshops and a review of over 100 relevant papers and documents.

The rapid review had three broad objectives with respect to gender-sanitation integration: 1) To compile the latest evidence, thinking and practice of gender in sanitation globally, and identify important elements of good practice; 2) To identify key policy changes needed at global, national and subnational level; and 3) To clarify WaterAid’s current and potential contribution. This report synthesises findings concerning the first two objectives. The overall focus and scope was sanitation systems and services, and areas such as menstrual health were included where there was a close link to sanitation practices or facilities.