By Sajib Mahanta

The relationship between ensuring access to safe sanitation facilities and overall well-being has been studied extensively. Although this access comes with challenges, it’s also supported by different factors that facilitates the construction of safe sanitation systems. While numerous facilitators have been documented in the comprehensive review on Barriers and Facilitators to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) practices in Southern Africa, this blog post delves into a grassroot narrative, highlighting two specific facilitators, interpersonal in the form of social status and institutional through the role played by “sanitation marketeers”.

These two dimensions are intricately linked, as the influence of perceived social support in shaping sanitation decisions becomes apparent through the initiatives undertaken by FINISH Mondial Kenya, one of which is training of the “sanitation marketeers”. The FINISH (Financial Inclusion Improves Sanitation & Health) Mondial programme (FM) stands as a collaborative effort between WASTE and Amref Flying Doctors. In Kenya, FINISH INK is one of the implementing partners, striving to achieve a goal: contributing to healthier and economically empowered communities by the year 2030.

The results from the midterm review of the FM programme emphasises the inclusion of gender equity in the programme, facilitated by the Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) working group. Through GESI trainings, FM has disseminated information to communities, stressing the significance of women’s involvement in decision-making processes related to toilet construction.

The programme’s activities have played a role in empowering women by engaging them in decision-making processes at the community level, particularly in the adoption of sanitation facilities. This empowerment effort is exemplified through Ann Kamau’s story.

 

Ann Kamau’s story: redefining roles and reshaping communities in Nakuru

“Watu wa Kijiji wananiona nikiwa wahadhi kwa ajiki nina choo cha maana na cha kisasa. Mara nyingi watu huchukua hali ya choo kama sura ya familia yako”-Ann Kamau.

These are the words of Ann Kamau, a woman from Rhonda Ward in Nakuru West Sub County, Kenya. She emphasizes the prevailing societal perception; that one’s standing in the community is often linked to the quality of their toilets. In this context, the toilet becomes a symbol representing the face of one’s family, where a well-maintained and modern toilet is synonymous with “good” societal status. By prioritizing and investing in a safe toilet for her family, she wants to ensure that their societal status is maintained in the community.

Traditionally, women have been assigned roles in household sanitation, encompassing responsibilities such as child feces disposal, water collection, and the maintenance of toilets. In contrast, men are often perceived as the primary breadwinners, holding the responsibilities over significant financial decisions within the household. These roles are deeply entrenched in gender norms, varying across cultures and contexts and evolving throughout different stages of life.

Here, Ann Kamau as the primary bread winner supports her family by selling vegetables, challenging traditional gender norms prevalent in her community. Despite societal norms, she takes the lead in household decisions, a role uncommon for women rural and peri-urban settings. A study in Kenya also revealed a correlation between women making decisions for major household investments and access to safe sanitation facilities.

Ann Kamau’s story follows the same trajectory. In march 2023 she decided to upgrade her unimproved toilet to a safe toilet connected to the sewer system. While her initial toilet was “working”, hygiene and a desire to elevate her family’s social standing in the community motivated her to make this significant investment.

 

Ann Kamau’s unimproved toilet (on the left) and safely managed toilet (on the right).

She further quotes that “a toilet is the reflection of the household,” emphasizing the importance of having a “good” toilet in shaping community perceptions (an example of interpersonal facilitator).

The opportunity arose when the Nakuru Water and Sewerage Company (NAWASSCO) initiated a condominium sewer project, offering free sewer connections to all households in the community. Initially hesitant about the financial aspect, she found support from “sanitation marketers” associated with FINISH Mondial Kenya (which acted as the second facilitator).

The sanitation marketers played a pivotal role in shaping Ann Kamau’s decision-making process. They not only developed her capacity on the importance of safe sanitation facilities but also introduced her to the possibility of obtaining loans to address her sanitation needs. More importantly, they facilitated the process of connecting her new toilet to the sewer line. Participation in landlord meetings and group discussions organized by these sanitation marketers further expanded her understanding of the initiative.

Financial inclusion played a crucial role in her journey; to finance the new safely managed toilet, she secured a loan of 55,000 kenyan shillings (325 euros) from a women’s savings group. With a manageable 10 percent interest rate, the loan provided the necessary financial support. FINISH’s approach is to prioritise financial inclusion for improved sanitation and health by generating client centered demand for improved and safe sanitation.

In essence, Ann Kamau’s story sheds light on the critical need for financial inclusion and gender equity within the realm of sanitation services. Moreover, households led by financially stable women are more likely to demonstrate positive sanitation practices. Ann Kamau, by challenging traditional gender roles, accessing financial resources, and engaging in community initiatives, not only enhanced her family’s living conditions but also played a role in altering perceptions about sanitation in her community.

Her journey serves as both a cautionary and inspirational tale, showcasing at the same time the multifaceted challenges and gradual strides towards positive change when financial inclusion and gender equity intersect with sanitation initiatives in peri-urban Kenya.

Ann Kamau with the author Sajib Mahanta

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