A Systematic Review of Water and Gender Interlinkages: Assessing the Intersection With Health

Nagabhatla, Nidhi, Pouramin, Panthea and Miletto, Michela, (2020). A Systematic Review of Water and Gender Interlinkages: Assessing the Intersection With Health. Frontiers in Water, 2(6), 1-25

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  • Sub-type Journal article
    Author Nagabhatla, Nidhi
    Pouramin, Panthea
    Miletto, Michela
    Title A Systematic Review of Water and Gender Interlinkages: Assessing the Intersection With Health
    Appearing in Frontiers in Water
    Volume 2
    Issue No. 6
    Publication Date 2020-04-15
    Place of Publication Lausanne
    Publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
    Start page 1
    End page 25
    Language eng
    Abstract Background: Significant developmental challenges in low-resource settings limit access to sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). However, in addition to reducing human agency and dignity, gendered WASH inequities can also increase disease burden among women and girls. In this systematic review, a range of challenges experienced by women relating to inadequate WASH resources are described and their intersection with health are explored. We further assess the effectiveness of interventions in alleviating inequalities related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) three (health), five (gender), and six (water). Methods: We searched the MEDLINE database to identify research articles related to water (i.e., WASH), gender, and sustainability. An analysis of both observational and interventional studies was undertaken. For each study, content analysis was performed to identify the relevant WASH, gender, and health related outcomes, and the main conclusions of the study. Results: Key themes from our search included that women and girls face barriers toward accessing basic sanitation and hygiene resources, including a lack of secure and private sanitation and of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) resources. In total, 71% of identified studies reported a health outcome, suggesting an intersection of water and gender with health. Half of the research studies that included a health component reflected on the relationship between WASH, gender, and infantile diseases, including under-5 mortality, waterborne parasites, and stunting. In addition, we found that women and girls, as a result of their role as water purveyors, were at risk of exposure to contaminated water and of sustaining musculoskeletal trauma. A limited number of studies directly compared gender differences in accessing WASH resources, and an even smaller fraction (N = 5, 8.5%) reported sex-disaggregated outcomes. Educational, infrastructural, and programmatic interventions showed promise in reducing WASH and health outcomes. Indeed, infrastructural WASH interventions can be successful if long-term maintenance is ensured. Conclusions: Significant WASH inequities in women and girls further manifest as health burdens, providing strong evidence that the water-gender-nexus intersects with health. Thus, addressing gender and water inequities holds the potential to alleviate disease burden and have a significant impact on achieving the SDGs, including SDG three, five, and six.
    UNBIS Thesaurus WATER
    HEALTH
    GENDER
    Keyword Sustainable Development Goals
    WASH
    Hygiene
    Copyright Holder The Authors
    Copyright Year 2020
    Copyright type Creative commons
    DOI 10.3389/frwa.2020.00006
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    Created: Thu, 07 May 2020, 13:55:04 JST by Anderson, Kelsey on behalf of UNU INWEH