Wash and gender: A critical review of the literature and implications for gender-transformative wash research

Macarthur, J; Carrard, N; Willetts, J

Wash and gender: A critical review of the literature and implications for gender-transformative wash research

Macarthur, J Carrard, N

Willetts, J

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Publisher:: IWA Publishing
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 2020, 10, (4), pp. 818-827
Issue Date:: 2020-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Macarthur, J
dc.contributor.author	Carrard, N https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3371-9113
dc.contributor.author	Willetts, J
dc.date.accessioned	2021-02-23T08:29:00Z
dc.date.available	2021-02-23T08:29:00Z
dc.date.issued	2020-12-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 2020, 10, (4), pp. 818-827
dc.identifier.issn	2043-9083
dc.identifier.issn	2408-9362
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146318
dc.description.abstract	© 2020, IWA Publishing. All rights reserved. The connections between gender and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are profound, and the sector is beginning to explore the integration of gender-transformative principles into WASH programming and research. Gender-transformative approaches challenge inequalities and move beyond an instrumentalist approach to gender in development interventions. Through a critical review of academic empirical studies, this paper explores the last decade of WASH-gender literature (2008–2018). Trends were visualised using an alluvial diagram. The reviewed literature was underpinned by a diversity of disciplines, yet was dominated by women-focused, water-focused studies. Although the studies addressed many important gender considerations, few studies engaged with transformational aspects of gender equality. The majority of the studies were based in rural sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, indicating opportunity to explore contextual dynamics in other areas of the global south. Lastly, the studies primarily focus on women of productive age; only a few studies touched on gender dynamics relevant for a diversity of women, and men and boys were mostly absent. Insights from this analysis can inform future studies at the intersection of WASH and gender. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to include a diversity of voices, reflect on the strengths and limitations of research disciplines, and incorporate gender-transformative concepts.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	IWA Publishing
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.2166/washdev.2020.232
dc.rights	©IWA Publishing 2020.The definitive peer-reviewed and edited version of this article is published in Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development (2020) 10 (4): 818–827 and is available at https://doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2020.232
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0502 Environmental Science and Management, 0907 Environmental Engineering, 1205 Urban and Regional Planning
dc.title	Wash and gender: A critical review of the literature and implications for gender-transformative wash research
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	10
utslib.for	0502 Environmental Science and Management
utslib.for	0907 Environmental Engineering
utslib.for	1205 Urban and Regional Planning
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ISF - Institute for Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-02-23T08:28:59Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	10
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

© 2020, IWA Publishing. All rights reserved. The connections between gender and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are profound, and the sector is beginning to explore the integration of gender-transformative principles into WASH programming and research. Gender-transformative approaches challenge inequalities and move beyond an instrumentalist approach to gender in development interventions. Through a critical review of academic empirical studies, this paper explores the last decade of WASH-gender literature (2008–2018). Trends were visualised using an alluvial diagram. The reviewed literature was underpinned by a diversity of disciplines, yet was dominated by women-focused, water-focused studies. Although the studies addressed many important gender considerations, few studies engaged with transformational aspects of gender equality. The majority of the studies were based in rural sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, indicating opportunity to explore contextual dynamics in other areas of the global south. Lastly, the studies primarily focus on women of productive age; only a few studies touched on gender dynamics relevant for a diversity of women, and men and boys were mostly absent. Insights from this analysis can inform future studies at the intersection of WASH and gender. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to include a diversity of voices, reflect on the strengths and limitations of research disciplines, and incorporate gender-transformative concepts.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146318