Research on improving sanitation, hygiene and water programmingto reduce gender based violence / violence against women and girls

Rationale:

It is estimated that at least one out of every three women is likely to be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime[1].Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a result of unequal power relations, with violence against women and girls usually being an attempt by boys and men to maintain authority and control over women and girls;although sometimes violence can also be against boys and men, and people of other gender identities[2] can be particularly vulnerable to violence[3]. Reports show that GBV relating to sanitation and hygiene manifests in a number of ways across the spectrum of violence including: rape and sexual abuse, sexual harassment, physical or domestic violence and material[4] and psychological abuse and intimidation. GBV can be linked to: location or design of facilities; lack of control over the household budget to pay for sanitation; or non-conformity with culturally constructed gender identities as part of WASH related programmes.

Not all women or girls necessarily experience violence, but awareness that they could be potential victims, means that going to the toilet creates fear of sexual violence or harassment, which consequently restricts women and girls’ ability to utilise facilities and to fully engage with and participate in society.Likewisealthough not all women are equally exposed to GBV, susceptibility may be differentiated by factors such as age, vulnerability, poverty, class, marriage (and alcohol use by husband), isolation, rural/urban dweller, living in a fragile or conflict affected context, education, physical disability or poor health[5].Similarly not all men commit gender based violence, and although some men and boys also face violence they may be less likely to report it because of the stigma. From the human rights framework, access to water and sanitation is also a fundamental human right and mere absence tantamount to abuse of these rights.

The links between participation, ‘empowerment’ of women, and male violence are complex, but there is evidence that violence against women increases in intensity where gender relations are being transformed and the male privilege is being challenged[6]. How should WASH practitioners support women to obtain their rights in relation to WASH and allow them to make decisions on their own lives, even if this may put them in difficult positions?

Guidance on how to improve sanitation, hygiene and water related programming to minimise risks to GBV is limited; as is information for WASH sector staff on what to do and where to go for assistance if an incidence of GBV occurs related to WASH programming, including in contexts where there are potentially serious social consequences with a high risk of stigmatisation or ostracism by the family or community.

This research aims to respond to these gaps in information for the WASH sector.

Main objective:

Best practices in reducing GBVin sanitation, hygiene (and water) related programmesin both development and humanitarian contexts in resource poor countries are collected, reviewed and synthesised and made accessible to practitioners for replication in different contexts.

Main outputs:

The main outputs will be a practitioner’s guideline published by WaterAid and co-published by a range of other water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) or other relevant sector organisations covering the core elements of GBV in WASH programmes. This is envisaged to be 80 pages max; plus a short briefing note or similar to accompany the guideline.

The guidelines are likely to include, but not limited to:

  • Case studies highlighting the specific challenges relating to GBV and WASH
  • Practical guidance on reducing GBV through improved WASH programming – through processes, engagement with women and girls and designs and appropriate locations of facilities
  • Consideration of how men and boys should be involved in reducing risks of violence, either as the perpetrators or the victims of violence, or as professionals or community leaders with a key role in advocacy and enforcement working to reduce risks for women, girls and boys
  • Good practice on how to ensure that WASH related staff and partners are knowledgeable on how to minimise risks related to GBV
  • Guidance on what to do when GBV occurs in relation to WASH programmes – demystifying the protection sector - where to go; what help is available; being aware of local contexts, vulnerabilities and opportunities

Funding and timeline:

The research is being funded by the SHARE Consortium - timeline from January and December 2013.

Research team:

The research team includes Sarah House, Dr Marni Sommer, Suzanne Ferron, Elizabeth Noble and Dr Sue Cavill, who will be supported by a number of gender, equity and inclusion experts from within WaterAid. As the work progresses, a number of additional professionals with expertise adding to / complementing that of the team will be asked to provide advice and to undertake peer review of the outputs; this is likely to include professionals with, but not limited to, GBV, health, and or protection expertise including those who understand the linkages with the police, social services, the courts, and survivors of GBV support organisations.

A range of specific expert advice will be sought to contribute to the content of and to review this resource,along withinvitationsextended to a number of organisations that engage with the process of relevant areas of research to consider the opportunity to also co-publish the final guideline. It is hoped that this process will contribute to ensuring that the guideline is relevant to a wide group of potential users and widely disseminated and utilised.

Invitation to contribute:

The research team are keen to hear from anyone who is interested to:

  • Share case studies of GBV and sanitation, hygiene and water(WASH) from their own experience or in existing documentation;
  • Share examples of good practice on programming on GBV relating to WASH or which could be transferrable to WASH programming or the training of sector professionals;
  • Share good practice in responding to incidences of GBV in low income contexts;
  • Receive the final outputs from the research.

To contribute to the research or for further information please contact:

  • Sarah House – – 0743-211 3939
  • Sue Cavill – – 07926 – 296 989

[1]Womankind

[2] Such as people who are transsexual, homosexual, bisexual or eunuch.

[3] All will be considered as part of this research although it is expected that the main focus will be on women and girls because of the scale of the problem

[4] Exclusion from access to services and resources

[5] The variance of susceptibility or otherwise by environmental or social grouping or contexts will be investigated as part of the research.

[6]Rowlands, 1997 in: Sweetman, C (Ed) (1998) Violence against women, OXFAM Focus on Gender