A review on gender-inclusive WASH policies in Bangladesh
Author (s)
Md. Aminul Islam Khan, Anika Tahsin, & Bilqis Amin Hoque
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.
| Title: | A review on gender-inclusive WASH policies in Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Author: | Md. Aminul Islam Khan, Anika Tahsin, & Bilqis Amin Hoque |
| Journal Name: | International Journal of Science and Business |
| Website: | ijsab.com |
| ISSN: | ISSN 2520-4750 (Online), ISSN 2521-3040 (Print) |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5793142 |
| Media: | Online |
| Volume: | 5 |
| Issue: | 12 |
| Acceptance Date: | 17/12/2021 |
| Date of Publication: | 20/12/2021 |
| PDF URL: | https://ijsab.com/wp-content/uploads/854.pdf |
| Free download: | Available |
| Page: | 36-51 |
| First Page: | 36 |
| Last Page: | 51 |
| Paper Type: | Research paper |
| Current Status: | Published |
Cite This Article:
Md. Aminul Islam Khan, Anika Tahsin, & Bilqis Amin Hoque (2021). A review on gender-inclusive WASH policies in Bangladesh. International Journal of Science and Business, 5(12), 36-51. doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5793142
Retrieved from https://ijsab.com/wp-content/uploads/854.pdf
About Author (s)
Md. Aminul Islam Khan (corresponding author), 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.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5793142