Integration of the gender approach in the water, hygiene and sanitation projects of an NGO

The gender dimension is particularly relevant in the water and sanitation sector. It is mostly women and girls who are responsible for the tasks related to water collection, transport, storage and use. They are also responsible for most of the tasks related to the maintenance of sanitation facilities and hygiene education.

But if their role is now widely recognized as users, they are still insufficiently involved in the decision-making and management processes of the facilities. It seems essential to promote their full participation in water and sanitation projects.

The objective of gender mainstreaming in water and sanitation projects is to ensure that the needs and interests of women and girls are considered, and that they are involved in the management of the facilities. It thus pursues a dual objective of efficiency and equity.

A group of NGOs working to improve access to water and sanitation in West Africa mandated Phoenix to provide support to strengthen the integration of the gender approach in its activities.

Phoenix is providing a training cycle for NGO members on (i) the gender approach in the water and sanitation sector, (ii) the elaboration of a gender diagnosis at the level of development projects, and (iii) the elaboration of an operational strategy for gender mainstreaming in development projects.

Phoenix will also define a specific operational strategy for gender mainstreaming in projects.