A review on gender-inclusive WASH policies in Bangladesh

Md. Aminul Islam Khan, Anika Tahsin and Bilqis Amin Hoque
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Md. Aminul Islam Khan: Graduate Student, Institute of Water and Flood Management, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Anika Tahsin: Graduate Student, Institute of Water and Flood Management, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Bilqis Amin Hoque: Executive President, Environment and Population Research Centre (EPRC), Dhaka, Bangladesh.

International Journal of Science and Business, 2021, vol. 5, issue 12, 36-51

Abstract: Bangladesh is one of the developing countries in South Asia where multiple challenges exist in the field of WASH. In this regard, gender is a vital issue. It is necessary to include gender-responsive issues in WASH policies and legal frameworks as gender is a key factor in achieving sustainability in this sector. In every phase of a project cycle, the role of every gender group must be ensured. The review brings forth a broader understanding of the role and status of gender in the current WASH-associated legal frameworks of Bangladesh. Through the content analysis method, the inclusiveness of gender in WASH policies and legal frameworks has been evaluated based on selected issues. After that frequency score is given in each issue based on the number of documents addressed that particular issue. From the frequency score, it was observed that, in existing policies and legal frameworks, all the selected issues were not given due priority from the perspective of gender inclusiveness. Issues like ‘women-specific needs’, ‘equality’, ‘participation and representation’, and ‘Climate change, adaptation, and disaster management’ received high significance, whereas other key issues like ‘site selection, operation and maintenance, and ‘hygiene promotion’ which are crucial in the field of WASH were found to be addressed rarely. On the other hand, while addressing gender, only men and women were mentioned overlooking one of the vulnerable gender groups which is the transgender and hijra community. To achieve the SDG targets, the policies of Bangladesh need to be more gender-responsive. It is expected that the review will contribute towards refreshing the debate for updated gender-responsive policies and related materials.

Keywords: Gender; Women; WASH; Policy; Transgender; Hijra; Sustainable Development Goal (SDG); Bangladesh (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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