Women's involvement in a rural Bangladesh water and sanitation project

This study assessed the involvement of women in the Mirzapur handpump project in Bangladesh, over a four-year period (1984-1987). Undertaken by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), the study involved women mainly in consultation, decision-making, and monitoring and maintenance of hand pumps and latrines. In the intervention area (population 5,000) people were provided with Tara handpumps, twin pit latrines, and hygiene education. Women were directly involved in the site selection of hand pumps and latrines, their installation, construction and maintenance. About 89 per cent of the pumps maintained by women (n=30) and 86 per cent of those maintained by project workers (n=49) were found to be in good working condition. Women supervised the construction of all 754 latrines, fenced 58 per cent of the project-supported latrines (n=268) and emptied the pits of 65 per cent of the 276 filled-up latrines. Socio-cultural factors were not found to be barriers to women's involvement and performance. The initial involvement of the whole community (leaders, men and women), and subsequently making all activities open to men and women alike, yet emphasizing women's roles, helped to gain community support and contact with the women. This type of approach, with its respect for cultural factors and acceptance of the existing patriarchal social system, should contribute to the sustainability of water and sanitation projects.