World Toilet Day
November 19th was World Toilet Day.
Before starting this module I was unaware of the existence of World Toilet Day. This is due to the fact that in the UK I do not have to consider my daily toilet usage. I have mentioned before how important toilets are for health reasons, they also have an impact on the economics of a region also. When people have insufficient access to toilets the resulting health issues lead to an over burden on healthcare systems and productivity loses, access to toilets also impact education.
Toilets are already the 'unmentionable' side of water and sanitation, however within that the issues facing women are even more hidden. As a woman I wish to focus on how gender and water relate within the realms of sanitation for this post. 49.6 percent of the world's population is female, meaning there are almost 4 billion women menstruate each month and yet this is a little discussed topic. Girls can be absent from school for up to five days a month, due to menstruation. In terms of physical infrastructure, schools often lack a sufficient number of latrines, access to running water for flushing toilets and washing hands with soap, and access to disposal units for used menstrual products. In Sub-Saharan Africa 'dominant cultural discourses portray menstruation as a ‘hygienic crisis’ that needs to be managed and concealed.' Cultural taboos in these regions can have a greater impact on women and girls than structural barriers. Missing 60 days of school a year sets girls up for a negative feedback loop, they are then more likely to drop out of school permanently, inequality becomes greater and they can become ensnared in poverty as their employment opportunities have been affected.
Insecurity is another key point to be highlighted; an individual should not be afraid to use a toilet, no matter what time of day or where it is located. I understand that this is an issue that can affect both men and women, but the risk of sexual assault a women is exposed to increases when she has to walk to and from a toilet in the dark. In patriarchal societies a women's bodily functions are often seen to be shameful and disgusting, leading to women being punished for normal behaviour where facilities are unavailable. Inequality within sanitation is not simply the rich and the poor but also very much gender based.
With 8% of urban sub-Saharan Africa and 35% of rural sub-Saharan Africa continuing to practice open defecation today women and girls will continue to be at risk. These practices should not be stigmatised further as I will not improve the safety of these individuals, instead providing toilets that are safe is key, as well as improving overall infrastructure. Increasing the number of toilets means women have to walk less far on their own, putting lights on route to and from facilities as well as in them allows individuals to feel safe, and locks on doors are key.
With sanitation still being a taboo issue culturally across many regions information is key. Helping communities to understand the realities of menstrual hygiene, toilets and hygiene as a whole would go along way. Making sanitary products available to women would create huge change. AFRIPad is a company based in Kampala who have produced over 2.5 million pads since 2009, and have teamed up with several NGOs to distribute them across Uganda. The factory employs local women to produce reusable pads which are cheap and allow girls to continue their education and women to work. Inequality is an issue which needs to be addressed across many issues but by keeping girls in school they are protected and their lives can improve dramatically.
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