Addressing gendered disparities in water and sanitation
Authors: Sumit Shekhar, Amrita Dwivedi
Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are fundamental human rights that play a crucial role in ensuring the dignity, health, and well-being of communities. However, the gendered disparities in access to WASH services are a major concern, especially in rural India. Women, particularly those from marginalised communities, bear the brunt of poor water and sanitation infrastructure, facing significant health risks, social marginalisation, and even violence.
This paper ‘Gendered disparities in water and sanitation through an intersectional lens: Emphasising women’s perspectives’ explores the intersection of gender, caste, and class within WASH services in rural India. Drawing from a study conducted in the Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh, it highlights how social hierarchies shape access to water and sanitation, exacerbating inequalities for women, particularly from lower castes. The discussion emphasises the need for an intersectional approach to address the multiple layers of disadvantage faced by women in accessing WASH services.
The intersection of gender and WASH
Women are the primary users, managers, and providers of water in households, and their participation in WASH projects has been shown to improve the effectiveness of such programs. However, participation alone does not guarantee that women’s voices will be heard. Their position within households and communities, shaped by gender, caste, and religious norms, affects their ability to influence decision-making regarding WASH interventions.
The intersectionality framework acknowledges that social identities, including gender, caste, class, and age, interact to create unique experiences of marginalisation and privilege. In rural India, caste plays a significant role in determining access to resources, including water and sanitation. Women from lower castes, particularly those in Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), often face multiple barriers to accessing clean water and sanitation facilities.
Gendered disparities in access to water and sanitation
The study conducted in Hardoi district revealed that women from lower-income households and marginalised castes face significant challenges in accessing WASH services. Many women reported walking long distances to collect water, which added to their physical exhaustion and stress. Those who relied on public water infrastructure also faced social harassment and discrimination. Women from SC and OBC communities were often denied access to community water sources, forcing them to rely on polluted water.
In contrast, women from higher castes had better access to private water and sanitation facilities within their households. They did not face the same level of hardship as their lower-caste counterparts, who often practiced open defecation due to a lack of toilets. The study found that women from marginalised groups, especially those with limited financial resources, were less likely to have toilets at home and continued to face health risks and social stigma associated with open defecation.
The impact of poor WASH infrastructure on women's health and safety
The lack of adequate WASH infrastructure disproportionately affects women's health and safety. Women in rural areas are more vulnerable to urinary tract infections and other diseases due to poor sanitation. The practice of open defecation not only exposes them to health risks but also increases their vulnerability to sexual harassment and violence. The fear of harassment often forces women to delay defecation, leading to further health complications.
Women’s safety is also compromised when they have to collect water from distant sources or defecate in open fields. Several women from lower castes reported facing verbal abuse or physical threats when defecating in others' fields, reflecting the deep-seated social hierarchies and discrimination they experience. These intersecting vulnerabilities demonstrate the urgent need to improve WASH infrastructure and ensure equitable access for all women.
Caste and class: The invisible barriers
Caste is a significant factor in determining access to WASH services in India. Women from SCs and OBCs are often relegated to the most hazardous and unsanitary living conditions. Their exclusion from community water sources and sanitation facilities is a stark reminder of the systemic discrimination that persists in Indian society. The caste system, deeply rooted in notions of purity and pollution, continues to influence access to resources, further marginalizing lower-caste women.
Additionally, class and economic status play a crucial role in shaping access to WASH services. Households with higher incomes are more likely to invest in private toilets and piped water, while lower-income households, especially those from marginalised castes, struggle to afford such infrastructure. This economic disparity exacerbates the challenges faced by lower-caste women, who often have to rely on inadequate and unsafe public facilities.
Addressing gender inequality through intersectional policies
Addressing the gendered disparities in WASH services requires an intersectional approach that recognises the multiple layers of disadvantage faced by women. Policies aimed at improving WASH infrastructure must take into account the intersection of gender, caste, and class to ensure that the most marginalised women are not left behind.
India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and the Har Ghar Jal Scheme aim to improve access to sanitation and water for rural communities. However, these programs often fall short in addressing the unique challenges faced by women from lower castes and economically disadvantaged groups. The study highlighted that while women’s participation in WASH committees is encouraged, it is often women from higher castes who are represented, further marginalising those from lower castes.
To address these gaps, policies must prioritise the inclusion of women from marginalised groups in decision-making processes. This requires not only ensuring representation but also empowering women to actively participate in shaping WASH interventions. Furthermore, programs must be tailored to the specific needs of different social groups, recognising that one-size-fits-all solutions do not work in a context as socially diverse as India.
Conclusion
The intersection of gender, caste, and class creates significant disparities in access to water and sanitation in rural India. Women, particularly those from marginalised communities, face multiple layers of disadvantage, affecting their health, safety, and overall well-being. An intersectional approach is essential to addressing these disparities and ensuring that WASH interventions are inclusive and equitable.
By recognising the unique challenges faced by women from lower castes and economically disadvantaged groups, policymakers can develop more targeted and effective strategies to improve access to WASH services. Empowering women through representation and participation in decision-making processes is crucial for achieving gender equality in the WASH sector. Only through such inclusive approaches can we hope to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation) and ensure that no one is left behind.