Gender equality approaches in water, sanitation, and hygiene programs: Towards gender-transformative practice

MacArthur, J; Carrard, N; Mott, J; Raetz, S; Siscawati, M; Willetts, J

Gender equality approaches in water, sanitation, and hygiene programs: Towards gender-transformative practice

MacArthur, J

Carrard, N

Mott, J Raetz, S Siscawati, M Willetts, J

Permalink

Publisher:: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Frontiers in Water, 2023, 5
Issue Date:: 2023-01-01

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Published versionAdobe PDF (4.63 MB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	MacArthur, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6645-5767
dc.contributor.author	Carrard, N https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3371-9113
dc.contributor.author	Mott, J
dc.contributor.author	Raetz, S
dc.contributor.author	Siscawati, M
dc.contributor.author	Willetts, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3975-9642
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-03T23:15:18Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-03T23:15:18Z
dc.date.issued	2023-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Frontiers in Water, 2023, 5
dc.identifier.issn	2624-9375
dc.identifier.issn	2624-9375
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173970
dc.description.abstract	The recent (re-)emergence of gender-transformative approaches in the development sector has focused on transforming the gender norms, dynamics, and structures which perpetuate inequalities. Yet, the application of gender-transformative approaches within water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programing remains nascent as compared with other sectors. Adopting a feminist sensemaking approach drawing on literature and practice, this inquiry sought to document and critically reflect on the conceptualization and innovation of gender-transformative thinking in the Australian Government's Water for Women Fund. Through three sensemaking workshops and associated analysis, participants developed a conceptual framework and set of illustrative case examples to support WASH practitioners to integrate strengthened gender-transformative practice. The multi-layered framework contains varied entry points to support multi-disciplinary WASH teams integrating gender equality, as skills and resources permit. Initiatives can be categorized as insensitive, sensitive, responsive or transformative, and prompted by five common motivators (welfare, efficiency, equity, empowerment, and transformative requality). The framework has at its foundation two diverging tendencies: toward instrumental gender potential and toward transformative gender potential. The article draws on historical and recent WASH literature to illustrate the conceptual framework in relation to: (i) community mobilization, (ii) governance, service provision, and oversight, and (iii) enterprise development. The illustrative examples provide practical guidance for WASH practitioners integrating gendered thinking into programs, projects, and policies. We offer a working definition for gender-transformative WASH and reflect on how the acknowledgment, consideration, and transformation of gender inequalities can lead to simultaneously strengthened WASH outcomes and improved gender equality.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
dc.relation.ispartof	Frontiers in Water
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3389/frwa.2023.1090002
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	3707 Hydrology
dc.title	Gender equality approaches in water, sanitation, and hygiene programs: Towards gender-transformative practice
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	5
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
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/Strength - ISF - Institute for Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-03T23:15:16Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	5

Abstract:

The recent (re-)emergence of gender-transformative approaches in the development sector has focused on transforming the gender norms, dynamics, and structures which perpetuate inequalities. Yet, the application of gender-transformative approaches within water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programing remains nascent as compared with other sectors. Adopting a feminist sensemaking approach drawing on literature and practice, this inquiry sought to document and critically reflect on the conceptualization and innovation of gender-transformative thinking in the Australian Government's Water for Women Fund. Through three sensemaking workshops and associated analysis, participants developed a conceptual framework and set of illustrative case examples to support WASH practitioners to integrate strengthened gender-transformative practice. The multi-layered framework contains varied entry points to support multi-disciplinary WASH teams integrating gender equality, as skills and resources permit. Initiatives can be categorized as insensitive, sensitive, responsive or transformative, and prompted by five common motivators (welfare, efficiency, equity, empowerment, and transformative requality). The framework has at its foundation two diverging tendencies: toward instrumental gender potential and toward transformative gender potential. The article draws on historical and recent WASH literature to illustrate the conceptual framework in relation to: (i) community mobilization, (ii) governance, service provision, and oversight, and (iii) enterprise development. The illustrative examples provide practical guidance for WASH practitioners integrating gendered thinking into programs, projects, and policies. We offer a working definition for gender-transformative WASH and reflect on how the acknowledgment, consideration, and transformation of gender inequalities can lead to simultaneously strengthened WASH outcomes and improved gender equality.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173970