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What If Your Husband Doesn’t Feel the Pressure? An Exploration of Women’s Involvement in WaSH Decision Making in Nyanchwa, Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Thelma Zulfawu Abu

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3GI, Canada)

  • Elijah Bisung

    (School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, 28 Division St, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada)

  • Susan J. Elliott

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3GI, Canada)

Abstract

Access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) is a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Women and girls suffer the main burden of a lack of access to WaSH because they are primarily responsible for collecting water for their homes. However, they are often excluded from WaSH decision-making and implementation processes. This research sought to explore women’s experiences in participating in WaSH decision-making through a case study in Nyanchwa, Kenya. Twelve (12) key informant interviews were conducted with community leaders and members regarding challenges and possible measures for enhancing women and girls’ participation in WaSH decision-making. From this research, it is evident that economic challenges and cultural factors such as male dominance, greatly inhibit women and girls’ participation in WaSH decision-making and implementation processes. Other factors such as time constraints and low literacy rates also emerged. The paper concludes with a call for collaboration among women’s groups to enhance collective action for improved access to WaSH. This will undoubtedly lead to enhanced community health and wellbeing (Sustainable Development Goal 3, SDG3) through the empowerment of women (Sustainable Development Goal 5, SDG5).

Suggested Citation

  • Thelma Zulfawu Abu & Elijah Bisung & Susan J. Elliott, 2019. "What If Your Husband Doesn’t Feel the Pressure? An Exploration of Women’s Involvement in WaSH Decision Making in Nyanchwa, Kenya," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:10:p:1763-:d:232324
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Esther Duflo, 2012. "Women Empowerment and Economic Development," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 50(4), pages 1051-1079, December.
    2. Saskia Ivens, 2008. "Does Increased Water Access Empower Women?," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 51(1), pages 63-67, March.
    3. Aboud, Frances E. & Singla, Daisy R., 2012. "Challenges to changing health behaviours in developing countries: A critical overview," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(4), pages 589-594.
    4. Bisung, Elijah & Elliott, Susan J. & Schuster-Wallace, Corinne J. & Karanja, Diana M. & Bernard, Abudho, 2014. "Social capital, collective action and access to water in rural Kenya," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 147-154.
    5. Bisung, Elijah & Elliott, Susan J., 2018. "Improvement in access to safe water, household water insecurity, and time savings: A cross-sectional retrospective study in Kenya," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 1-8.
    6. Krieger, N., 2012. "Methods for the scientific study of discrimination and health: An ecosocial approach," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(5), pages 936-945.
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