Despite evidence indicating that women are disproportionately affected by the lack of proper and secure sanitation facilities worldwide, there is insufficient information on factors influencing the ability of women, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, to access and utilize sanitation. A mixed methods approach was used to collect data on household characteristics, decision-mak- ing capabilities, and socio-cultural behaviours among 314 respondents in Aso C, Gishiri and Kuruduma communities in Abuja, Nigeria. First, we used the Empowerment in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Index (EWI) tool to calculate the ratio of women and men who were empowered, as well as the level of empowerment. Then, we examined the relationship between empowerment and gender, age, literacy level, income levels, willingness to pay for waste water treatment services (WTPWWT) and types of sanitation facilities in the three communities. The findings from this study indicated that control over household assets contributed the most to disempowerment in women. Empowerment levels for both men and women were strongly influenced by income and WTPWWT. By adopting the EWI model for identifying gender disparities, this paper aims to assist practitioners and researchers in organizing, planning, and reporting gender outcomes associated with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programs.
Cite this paper
Otonoku, T. , Awomuti, A. and Omata, D. (2021). Exploring the Influence of Gender Empowerment on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: A Study on Peri-Urban Communities in Abuja, Nigeria
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