The World Health Organization recently released a report that offers the first comprehensive analysis of gender disparities in WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene).
The report underlines the fact that women and girls are more likely to feel unsafe using a restroom away from the house and are more likely to experience the negative effects of poor hygiene.
Called “Progress on household drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene 2000-2022: Special focus on gender”, the report is the result of joint work between WHO and UNICEF.
Inequalities in the availability, accessibility, and quality of drinking water services have varied effects on men and women, according to the analysis. This is brought about in part by gender conventions, duties, and obligations associated with the delivery of services, as well as disparities in the unique requirements of men and women.
“Every step a girl takes to collect water is a step away from learning, play, and safety,” said Cecilia Sharp, UNICEF Director of WASH.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by inadequate service levels since they continue to do the majority of household duties in many parts of the world.
The number of people without access to at least basic drinking water services has fallen from 1.2 billion to 703 million between 2000 and 2022.
408 million of them resided in sub-Saharan Africa and 140 million in Central and Southern Asia. In all SDG zones, 8 out of 10 people (549 million) resided in rural areas, and there were more rural residents without access to basic drinking water than urban residents.
In a section called menstrual health, the report disclosed how adolescent girls and women living in rural areas are more likely to use reusable menstrual materials or no materials at all.
Adolescent girls and women in the poorest wealth quintile and those with functional difficulties were more likely to lack a private place to wash and change their menstrual materials at home,a ccording to the gethered data.
Many adolescent girls and women did not participate in school, work or social activities during menstruation but there is significant variation between and within countries, said WHO.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.