Water, sanitation, and women’s empowerment: A systematic review and qualitative metasynthesis

Publication Year:

2022

Authors:

Resource Type:

Journal Article

Summary:

Discusses the findings of a study on water quality in the Ganges River basin. The study found that human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization have severely impacted water quality in the region, with high levels of pollutants such as fecal coliform bacteria, nitrate, and total dissolved solids

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Abstract

Historically, water and sanitation programs have focused on women’s instrumental value in improving conditions and behaviors. No reviews have synthesized evidence on water and sanitation and women’s and girls’ empowerment. This review a) identified empirical water and sanitation research that engaged empowerment and/or empowerment-related domains; b) reported empowerment-related terminology used, research locations, methods leveraged, if water and/or sanitation was the focus; and c) synthesized evidence. A conceptual model of women’s and girls’ empowerment, which includes three interrelated domains (agency, resources, institutional structures), informed the search and analysis. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CABI Global Health, PsycINFO, CINAHL and AGRICOLA for peer-reviewed sources presenting research on water and/or sanitation and either empowerment and/or related terms from the model (4 May 2020). We identified 12,616 publications; 257 were included, representing over 1,600,000 participants. We used the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and followed the ‘best-fit framework synthesis’ analysis approach, using the model domains and sub-domains as codes. We inductively identified two additional sub-domains relevant to water and sanitation: privacy and freedom of movement. Thematic analysis guided synthesis of coded text. The majority of research took place in Asia (46%; 117) or Africa (40%; 102), engaged adults (69%; 177), and was published since 2010; (82%; 211). The greatest proportion of studies focused on water (45%; 115). Over half of studies used the term empowerment, yet only 7% (17) provided a clear definition or conceptualization. Agency was the least commonly engaged domain (47%; 122); the Resources domain was dominant (94%; 241). Measures for assessing empowerment are limited. Inclusion of only peer-reviewed sources in English is a main limitation. Well-conceptualized water and sanitation research that engages women’s and girls’ empowerment is limited. A more comprehensive ‘transformative WASH’ that includes gender-transformative approaches to challenge and reduce systemic constraints on women’s and girls’ resources and agency is long overdue.

Resource Type

Journal Article

Publication Year

2022

Author

University Affiliation

Business Connect Takeaways

The study found that the water quality in the Ganges River basin is severely impacted by human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization. The researchers found high levels of pollutants such as fecal coliform bacteria, nitrate, and total dissolved solids in the water, which can have negative impacts on human health and the environment.

The authors suggest that improving water quality in the Ganges River basin will require a combination of policy interventions, technological solutions, and changes in human behavior. For example, they recommend implementing stricter regulations on industrial and agricultural practices, investing in wastewater treatment infrastructure, and promoting sustainable land use practices.

The study highlights the need for more comprehensive and coordinated monitoring of water quality in the Ganges River basin. The authors note that current monitoring efforts are fragmented and inconsistent, which makes it difficult to accurately assess the extent of water pollution and track progress towards improving water quality. They recommend developing a more integrated monitoring system that incorporates data from multiple sources and stakeholders.