Impact of women on the design of pit latrines (Malawi)

This cross-sectional study assessed the impact of women participation in designing and construction of dry pit latrines; in Kajoni village – Rumphi district in Malawi. Lack of women involvement in designing and construction of dry pit latrines, despite taking huge roles in cleaning and hygiene promotion actions in the household remained a major concern in the village it promoted the practice of Open Defecation by women. Men designed pit latrines were claimed to lack basic fundamentals of a good latrine such as privacy, safety, good structures, hand washing facilities and they were not responding to the sanitary needs of women. A sample of 52 (25 women aged 18-45 years, 15 aged 45-65 years for quantitative and 12 local leaders for qualitative). Data were collected using questionnaires and interview guides. Data was analyzed using RStudio computer package and Microsoft Excel and Thematic analysis for qualitative data. The study found that dry pit latrines that were designed and constructed by both men and women were user-friendly to women and men including children, they were hygienic, safe, had good structures and had hand washing facilities. 87.5% of the dry pit latrines that were designed and constructed by men only were not user- friendly; they did not consider needs of women as such issues of menstrual hygiene management and total privacy. Dry pit latrine constructed by both women and men promoted use of toilets, self-respect and human dignity and reduced open defecation. The study recommended communities to consider engaging women in designing dry pit latrines, paying attention to needs of women, girls and other vulnerable populations in order to achieve SDG 6.