Worldwide, 1 in 3 people still lacks access to safe drinking water, and 3 billion lack basic hand-washing facilities. Safe sanitation remains unavailable to more than half of the global population, and over 670 million people practice open defecation. Access to WASH services can also vary significantly between urban and rural settings, and installing new facilities is considered easier than maintaining existing ones in many cases.
Despite being responsible for water collection in about 80% of households where it’s not available on the premises, women and girls have traditionally been underrepresented in the design and decision-making process for WASH services.
However, long-term and inclusive partnerships can and are changing this. With funding from the Water for Women Fund, the Australian government's flagship WASH program, civil society organizations, research institutions, and local governments are working together to elevate the voices of women and other underrepresented groups in the WASH space.
Across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, research partnerships are highlighting the challenges that remain for women and other marginalized groups in accessing WASH services, while collaborations between civil society organizations and rights-holder organizations are bringing new voices to decision-making processes and influencing policy change at both the local and national level.
Water for Women and a number of its partner organizations share tips for creating and sustaining mutually beneficial partnerships that support more inclusive programming and policy decisions.
Continue reading how partnerships are driving inclusion and improving WASH services.
Visit the WASH Works series for more coverage on water, sanitation, and hygiene — and importantly, how WASH efforts intersect with other development challenges. You can join the conversation using the hashtag #WASHWorks.
About the author
Emma Smith@emmasmith_bcn
For four years, Emma Smith covered careers and recruitment, among other topics, for Devex. She now freelances for Devex and has a special interest in mental health, immigration, and sexual and reproductive health. She holds a degree in journalism from Glasgow Caledonian University and a master’s in media and international conflict.
