Our work provides evidence and frameworks to support improved gender equality and inclusion within and through WASH programs and initiatives. We promote consideration of power, culture and drivers of disadvantage and discrimination, leading to more equitable WASH services and associated gender equality and inclusion outcomes.
WASH-gender outcomes framework in brief
This framework was developed in 2013 and has been widely used for planning, identifying and documenting gender outcomes associated with WASH programs. The new two-page resource offers a visual summary of the framework and the types of outcomes WASH programs can achieve.
Gender in WASH partnerships, workforce and impact assessment
Client: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Despite increasing attention to gender equality and women’s empowerment in the WASH sector, there remain major gaps in evidence and guidance for practitioners and policy-makers.
This research aims to provide a strengthened evidence base on partnerships with gender and women’s rights organisations as well as gender equality in WASH workforce development. It will also develop a composite measure (WASH Gender Equality Measure: WASH-GEM), and complementary qualitative methodologies, to assess attributable impacts of WASH on gender equality.
The project involves partnering with five civil society organisations (iDE, Plan International, Thrive Networks, SNV and WaterAid), two universities (Universitas Indonesia and Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e) and three specialist organisations (International Women’s Development Agency, Edge Effect and CBM Australia) across Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal and Timor-Leste.
Research outputs and resources:
See project website for news, updates and research outputs: wwww.waterforwomen.uts.edu.au/gender
What’s happening for change agents?
Client: Water for Women Fund, DFAT
A project to curate qualitative monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) tools for civil society organisations to explore gender equality related changes associated with WASH programs. This work includes a focus on remote methods, appropriate for a COVID-19 travel restricted context.
Research outputs and resources:
Gender MEL Toolkit: Water for Women Hub
Equity in Water Safety Planning
Client: World Health Organisation
Working in collaboration with The World Health Organisation (WHO), this project assessed and strengthened practice, outcomes and monitoring of Water Safety Plan (WSP) in relation to gender and equity.
This research included four case studies at two urban and two rural WSP sites in the Philippines, Bangladesh and Nepal. A research report synthesizes findings from the four sites, and introduces opportunities for better integration of equity into water safety planning. The Guide supports comprehensive integration of equity considerations into WSPs and was launched by WHO, DFAT and ISF-UTS on World Water Day 2019.
Research outputs and resources:
A guide to equitable water safety planning
Water Safety Planning Equity Study: Synthesis Report of Four Case Studies in Asia
Review of gender manual impacts in Timor-Leste
Client: WaterAid
This project aimed to determine changes in gender norms and gender equality in communities and households as a result of WaterAid’s integration of gender activities into their programming. WaterAid has been applying their ‘Manual for Facilitating Dialogue between Women and Men in Communities’ over the last two years. This study adopted a strengths-based approach and had an explicit focus on reflection and action, including real-time learning by field staff.
Beyond the Finish Line: Gender inclusive rural sanitation and water supply
Client: SNV
ISF-UTS is the research and learning partner for SNV’s Beyond the Finish Line program (2018-2022), which is part of DFAT’s Water for Women Fund. Beyond the Finish Line seeks to achieve equitable and universal access to safely-managed sanitation and hygiene in seven districts in Bhutan and Lao PDR, and to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of rural water supply services in two districts in Nepal.
Through the partnership, ISF-UTS and SNV are working together to strengthen the contribution of WASH programs to gender equality, build climate resilience and support local governments to achieve district-wide inclusive services.
Gender Transformative Social Accountability in WASH
Client: GHD - DFAT Water for Women Fund
This research explores social accountability in the context of inclusive WASH, with a focus on improving water service levels in rural Bangladesh.
Together with World Vision Bangladesh and the University Rajshahi Bangladesh, the research considers how social accountability practice can be gender and socially inclusive, and what contribution this offers to gender transformation and strengthening of sector systems for sustainable, inclusive WASH. The mixed method design includes participatory action research, systems thinking, political economy, multi- actor perspectives and reflective CSO practice.
The research contributes to World Vision Bangladesh’s implementation of Citizen Voice and Action, an approach which mobilises and equips citizens to monitor and advocate for the improvement of government services.
Research outputs and resources:
Megaw, T., Winterford, K. (2020) Gender-transformative social accountability model. Gender-transformative social accountability - Working Paper 2. Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney.
Winterford, K., Megaw, T., Gero, A. (2020) Literature review of gender-transformative change and social accountability. Gender-transformative social accountability - Working Paper 1. Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney.
See project website for news, updates and research outputs: www.waterforwomen.uts.edu.au/social-accountability
Women’s empowerment in Viet Nam through rural sanitation partnerships
Client: East Meets West Foundation
In Viet Nam, East Meets West Foundation partnered with the Viet Nam Women’s Union (VWU) in order to implement the Community Hygiene Output-Based Aid (CHOBA) program. This research examined the individual and institutional empowerment outcomes experienced within the VWU through this rural sanitation partnership.
The research was designed in recognition that gender equality outcomes can be promoted alongside other development outcomes (in this case, sanitation outcomes) and at a number of levels within a program, in this case, within the program partner organisation.
Research outputs and resources:
Women’s empowerment in Vietnam through rural sanitation partnerships: The Community Based Output-Based Aid Program (CHOBA)
Enterprise in WASH
Client: Australian Development Research Scheme Award (ADRAS) Grant
This research investigated the role of small-scale enterprises in sustainable WASH service delivery, with a focus on equitable outcomes for the poor. Conducted in partnership with civil society organisations and local research institutions in Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Cambodia and Vietnam.
See the project website, enterpriseinwash.info, to find research outputs, additional resources such as learning briefs and academic publications.
Research outputs focused specifically on gender equality include:
Gender and SDG 6: the critical connection – A framing paper for the High-Level Panel on Water
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) present a timely opportunity for all actors, at all levels, to address gender equality.
Inequality, discrimination and social exclusion can be found within water governance and WASH policies, strategies and access to services. Social exclusion which affects women, minorities, disabled persons, older people, sexual minorities and economically disadvantaged people can have adverse effects on an individual's access to appropriate water and sanitation infrastructure.
SDG 6, which calls to "ensure clean access to water and sanitation for all", requires explicit attention to gender equality and social inclusion.
As explored in this Framing Paper, the High-Level Panel on Water Action Plan can significantly contribute to this agenda. The accompanying background discussion paper synthesises current evidence on gender in relation to SDG6.
Research outputs and resources:
Grant, M., Willetts, J., and Huggett, C. (2019) Gender Equality and Goal 6 – The Critical Connection: An Australian Perspective. Canberra: Australian Water Partnership
Gender Equality and Goal 6: The Critical Connection - Discussion Paper
Gender and SDG6: The Critical Connection - A Framing Paper for the High-Level Panel on Water
Gender equality and inclusion in water resources management
Internationally, women are more likely to be involved with the gathering of water for their households. Additionally, women are disproportionately affected by the impacts of water scarcity, climate change and natural disasters.
In spite of their unique experiences and valuable perspectives, women's voice is often missing from water management policies, and often absent from the decision-making process.
To respond to these absences, ISF-UTS developed an ‘Action Piece’ for the Global Water Partnership (GWP) and broader water resources management sector, outlining the key elements needed to support gender equality and inclusion in water resources management and sectoral water uses (including WASH). The Action Piece demystifies how organisations can take initial and necessary steps towards increasing gender equality.
Research outputs and resources:
Gender Equality and Inclusion in Water Resources Management: Action Piece
Impact assessment of gender and WASH monitoring tool in Vietnam
When women and men are equally involved in WASH programs, the programs are not only more effective and sustainable, but they can also contribute to gender equality outcomes.
Monitoring tools can assist in both tracking progress as well as making space for women and men to explore gender roles. ISF partnered with Plan International Australia and Vietnam to examine their impact of the Gender and WASH Monitoring Tool (GWMT) on achievement of strategic gender outcomes in Central Vietnam.
Research outputs and resources
From practical to strategic changes: Strengthening gender in WASH - Research report
Poster presentation - winner of WASH Future 2016 Conference poster award
Working effectively with women and men in WASH
Client: Australian Development Research Award
In partnership with the International Women’s Development Agency, Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji and World Vision Vanuatu, ISF produced guidance materials on how to incorporate gender into WASH initiatives, and to assist practitioners to understand what positive gender outcomes 'look like'.
A tool kit of materials, which include resource guides, flash cards, a poster and case studies, was develop to assist in the development of effective WASH programs that work effectively with both women and men by promoting WASH outcomes that achieve the different needs of women and men, and recognising that WASH programs can also promote positive relationships within a community in addition to providing pathways to better water access and quality.
Research outputs and resources:
Working effectively with women and men in water, sanitation and hygiene programs - Flash cards
How do we better address gender in Pacific water and sanitation initiatives? - Fiji Case Study
How do we better address gender in Pacific water and sanitation initiatives? Vanuatu Case Study
Inclusive WASH community of practice
In partnership with the International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA), ISF-UTS led the gender and WASH stream of this Australian WASH Reference group initiative, which offered webinars and interactive discussion on inclusion in WASH practice.
Research outputs and resources:
Gender: Women and Girls - Webinar
Other relevant webinars facilitated by ISF-UTS
Webinar: Support mechanisms to strengthen equality and non-discrimination in rural sanitation