Gender-related challenges and the use of onsite sanitation facilities (Zambia)

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), women and girls in rural areas are part of marginalised groups excessively restrained by insufficient sanitation and water services. Inequalities of gender norms coupled with onsite sanitation practices amongst women and girls has proved to put women and girls at high risks of abuse. Research conducted in Ndola Zambia affirms that inequitable gender norms put women at great risk of experiencing health and psychosocial vulnerabilities, and violence. These include fear to be raped, child defilement, physical irritation and animal attack. Not only have these negative experiences brought about psychosocial stress, anxiety and fear amongst women, unreported cases of rape and child defilement have contributed to the increase of these negative vices to continue happening because sexual abuse is treated with secrecy. Thus, perpetrators remain unpunished and often is unclear who should take the moral responsibilities. Poverty in rural settings cause victims to accept bribes and suppress such matters. Although policies and regulations have been put in response to the GDG6.2 aiming at provision of safe sanitation for all by 2030, regulations are not specific enough to address women’s needs in peri urban and rural areas. Participation of women in the design or selection of toilet facilities is very low, resulting in barriers to access the facilities.