The pandemic is producing more household waste and increased amounts of dangerous medical waste. We need to manage these changes for our immediate safety and for the long-term welfare of our communities.
The pandemic demonstrates that disasters are triggered by multidimensional risks and hazards, and that a country’s approach to urban resilience needs to be multifaceted.
Access to household toilets is often seen as just a water and sanitation issue or a public health concern. But the recent murders of two young Indian girls have highlighted another aspect – women’s safety and security.
Increasing women’s leadership in the water sector may appear straightforward given affirmative measures such as project gender action plans and gender targets designed to boost female involvement. However, in practice, very few women have emerged as leaders in the sector as a direct outcome of these measures.
Unforgettable—that’s how I would describe the moment I raised the issue of menstrual hygiene management with project teams and government officials in Southeast Asia. Shocked and stunned—they looked down at their shoes closely inspecting remnants of their breakfast from earlier in the day.
Water and sanitation has a major impact on public health and women’s empowerment. Now is the time to accelerate the momentum and streamline health and gender into water supply and sanitation operations.
Women are disproportionately affected by water and sanitation issues, including inadequate water supply, lack of sanitation and poor hygiene practices.
Women’s involvement in water utilities is about creating more employment, equalizing opportunities for men and women, and hiring the best person for the job regardless of gender.
