Making Urban Sanitation Gender Responsive: Public and Community Toilets
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Authors
Issue Date
2026-02
Type
Working Paper
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Gender-responsive urban sanitation is essential to ensure equitable access, safety, dignity and health for all urban residents, particularly women, girls and marginalised groups. This paper examines how public and community toilets can be designed, managed and governed to better respond to diverse gendered needs in urban contexts. It highlights key barriers such as inadequate privacy, poor lighting, lack of menstrual hygiene facilities, and limited accessibility for people with disabilities, as well as safety concerns that disproportionately affect women and vulnerable populations. The study emphasises participatory planning, inclusive design standards and gender-sensitive operation and maintenance systems to improve service quality and user experience. By integrating gender considerations into urban sanitation planning and service delivery, municipalities and service providers can enhance social inclusion, public health outcomes and overall urban resilience. The findings underscore the importance of policy alignment, community engagement and institutional capacity to ensure that urban sanitation systems are safe, inclusive and responsive to the needs of all users.
Description
Citation
Publisher
Practical Action
License
All Rights Reserved