WSI - Water and Sanitation Initiative in Cambodia WASH Women platforms

WSI - Water and Sanitation InitiativeWhat is WSI?

• Do women have a specific role in society?

• How do women contribute to economic

growth at different levels?

• What are the public profiles of women?

• Why only women typically run households?

Role of Women in Society

Role of Women in Society

 female

%male

%

Literacy Rate, Ages 15-24, 2000-04 76 85

Economically Active, Ages 15+, 1995-2002 (%) 

74 81

Women as % of Parliament, 2004  10 90 

Secondary School Enrol. 2000/2004 (as % of school-age enrol.) 

20 31

Just 1 WASH indicator

HH without toilet HH with toilet

Distribution of HH by toilet facility availability

%

Women are normally users, managers and providers of water and sanitation services and hygiene improvements in their families and communities.

A WASH project is successful only when it is designed from a woman’s perspective, which leads to broader benefits for women.

Gender Equals Sustainability

WASH and Mobility

no time = no mobility

limited participation in civil societyand in decision making process

women overchargedwith tasks in

WASH

input related to women needs is not met

WSI Baseline surveyIn Oxfam target areas, women are normally in chargeof collecting water:

who is in charge of collecting

water

men women

% 38 62

WSI Baseline surveyIn Oxfam working areas, women are in charge of cleaning the ceramic water filters and also among the children girls are more often involved than boys when the time to wash the filters comes.

Local Gov’t Role in WASH National Min. of Rural Development

Gov’t guidelines and policiesProvince Prov. Departments

District District Integration Workshop

Commune Commune Councils C. Development Plan

C. Investment ProgramVillage WWPs influence

• WWPs prioritise woman's perspectives

• WWPs approach Commune Councils to

promote WASH improvement

• WWPs and Oxfam advocate for woman's

WASH needs at the national level

WWPs and advocacy

• Increase gender equity

• Empower in decision making

• Shoulder responsibilities

• Address women's needs

• Promote women's leadership

• Promote women's voices

WWPs Objectives