WASH 2011 conference: Juliet Willetts, ISF

1. Working Effectively with Women and Men to Improve the Sustainability of WASH Programs WASH CONFERENCE 2011 THINK. CHANGE. DO

2. Brisbane May 17th 2011 Working effectively with women and men to improve sustainabilityDr Juliet Willetts, Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTSBased on research by ISF-UTS, IWDA, Live & Learn and World Vision

3. Key messages in this presentation All WASH programs have gender outcomes, you just might not know what they are! Working effectively with women and men in WASH programs really is doable! Working effectively with women and men in WASH programs will increase sustainability of WASH outcomes

4. This session draws on research with 2 NGOs in the Pacific... Strengths-based approach to find out what gender outcomes were being achieved The NGO projects were focused on water, sanitation and hygiene – services, governance, demand Context: illiteracy, males in dominant positions as leaders, chiefs and decision makers We called the project “Making the invisible visible” Although the 2 NGOs weren’t aware, they had created many gender outcomes

5. A snapshot of a few of our findings... Women had gained respect through taking action... ‘The response to women has changed, they are more listened to, there is more trust of women. Whatever project women take a lead in, it is a success. For example in health issues, drainage, compost. Women have gained respect’ (Senikauvilliage, woman)

6. Opportunity for women to speak at meetings Increased respect led to increased voice... ‘Previously during the meetings the men would tell us we are women so we can’t talk and we remain silent, but now we are talking’ (Nanen woman).

7. Men and women’s changes in attitude...

8. However, gender outcomes from WASH programs are not always positive... Some examples (fictional, but based on real cases) “The toilets don’t have enough room for us to wash our menstrual cloths privately” “My work has increased due to collection of water for cleaning the new toilet” “The men are angry because they don’t like the new roles being taken by women in WASH” “My husband is suspicious and beats me because he thinks I take too long to collect water” “I don’t see why I should help my wife with keeping the children clean” So no matter what, there will always be gender outcomes to a WASH project, and so the key is to influence a path towards positive outcomes and away from negative ones

9. So what might help? Some clear constructive principles to follow: Facilitate participation and inclusion Focus on how decisions are made See and value differences Create opportunities

10. Some practical tools

12. Addressing gender in WASH projects is DO-ABLE, and can be done in a constructive manner

13. What’s the relevance for sustainability? More sustainable outcomes Improved gender equality Practical gender needs Strategic gender interests - empowerment

14. Back to the key messages in this presentation All WASH programs have gender outcomes, you just might not know what they are! Working effectively with women and men in WASH programs really is doable! Working effectively with women and men in WASH programs will increase sustainability of WASH outcomes

15. Thankyou For more information: www.genderinpacificwash.info Juliet.Willetts@uts.edu.au Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS Research, consultancy, training