Water and Sanitation (WASH)

International News

Addressing water, sanitation and hygiene inequalities: A review of evidence, gaps, and recommendations for disability-inclusive WASH by 2030. (Jun, Plos Water)

Adapting Menstrual Health Interventions for People with Intellectual Disabilities in Emergencies (2023, Frontiers of Sanitation)

Taking action to achieve inclusive WASH an introductory online course exploring disability-inclusive WASH. (2023, WaterAid, World Bank and UNICEF)

The inclusion of disability and ageing in COVID-19 hygiene behavior change interventions across low-and middle-income countries: A review using the COVID-19 Inclusive WASH Checklist. “Most organizations identified people with disabilities, older adults and caregivers as target groups, but targeted activities to include them were scarce. Where efforts were made, immediate needs rather than rights were addressed.” (2022, Frontiers Public Health)

The inclusion of disability within efforts to address menstrual health during humanitarian emergencies: A systematized review. (2022, Frontiers)

Water for Women guide on Partnerships for Transformation for WASH and Rights Holder Organizations includes a section featuring partnerships with organizations of persons with disabilities. (Link to pdf, 2022, Water for Women) See also their other recent publications that have taken efforts to mainstream disability.

Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in schools: 2000-2021 Data update includes a section on disability which shows gaps in data and how changes are lagging: “schools were more likely to have adapted infrastructure and materials than disability-accessible toilets” (2022, UNICEF)

Terminology Guidelines for Equality, inclusion and rights (2022, Water Aid)

Reflections on barriers to inclusion of older people with incontinence and their caregivers in humanitarian settings (2022, Amita Bhakta)

A guide to making WASH workplaces inclusive considering gender equality, disability and social inclusion. (2021, Institute for Sustainable Futures)

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Kenya

Menstrual struggles girls and women living with disability face. “The only safe place is home, where I can sit on a plastic chair while changing.” (2023, Nation)

The menstruation experiences of women and girls with disability in Kenya. Details from lived experience and policy. (2022, Mummy Tales)

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Nigeria

Girls with Disability Suffer, Rejected in Lagos Special Schools a detailed look at a lack of accessible and hygienic toilets and hygiene facilities. (Jan, This Day)

Accessible Sanitation in the Workplace Important Considerations for Disability-Inclusive Employment in Nigeria and Bangladesh (2022, IDS)

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Somalia

Somalia Humanitarian Fund makes disability-friendly latrines. (Sep, UNOCHA)

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Bangladesh

Assessment of WASH and incontinence situation of people with disabilities and older people. (Link to pdf, 2023, LSHTM and icddr,b)

Translating disability-inclusive WASH policies into practice: lessons learned from Bangladesh. “Few people with disabilities could access or use WASH services independently at home, meaning they did not bathe or use the toilet as often as required and relied on caregivers. [...] WASH and disability are considered and implemented in silos, so many people with disabilities fall through the gap and remain unserved.” (2022, LSHTM)

Exploring the implementation of disability-inclusive WASH policy commitments. (2022, The Daily Star)

Accessible latrines supporting independence in Cox's Bazar camps (2022, Relief Web)

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Cambodia

A qualitative cross-sectional study exploring the implementation of disability-inclusive WASH policy commitments in Svay Reing and Kampong Chhnang Provinces. (2022, Frontiers)

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India

When nature calls, where do we go? on access to public toilets in Chennai. (2022, DT Next)

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Indonesia

Dignity for Children with Disabilities: Making Toilets Safe at Home. (Aug, UNICEF)

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Nepal

Field note on Promoting Disability Friendly WASH in Schools. (2023, UNICEF)

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Yemen

A feature on safe latrines for the Bait Al-Amir community includes a section on inclusion of persons with disabilities. (2022, Sanitation Learning Hub)

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Vanuatu

Menstrual Health Experiences of People with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Caregivers during Vanuatu's Humanitarian Responses: A Qualitative Study. (2022, IJERPH)

“The weather is not good”: exploring the menstrual health experiences of menstruators with and without disabilities:

“Menstrual restrictions were widespread for all, but collecting water and managing menstrual materials was harder for menstruators with disabilities, particularly those requiring caregivers’ support. These factors negatively impacted menstruators with disabilities’ comfort, safety and hygiene, yet they reported less interference of menstruation on participation.” (2022, Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific)

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