For her it’s the big issue: putting women at the centre of water supply, sanitation and hygiene

How can the vital role of women in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions be better recognised? This report is a collection of evidence and brief examples highlighting the effect and benefits of placing women at the core of planning, implementation and operations of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) programmes.

Some of the key messages include that involving women in WASH interventions have proven beneficial through:

• the fact that women have a good knowledge of local water and sanitation practices, which, when incorporated into WASH programmes, results in improved health and quality of life for the community
• improved design, greater transparency and accountability of projects
• more effective hygiene promotion, when women use established group activities to reach other women to disseminate messages about good hygiene practices

The author highlights the fact that actions are needed at different levels and by different stakeholders in order to make more substantial improvements in the sector and in the lives of millions of women and girls.

Steps recommended aim at a paradigm shift from the old, top-down practices and attitudes, to a more people- centred and gender-sensitive approach, to ensure that the goal "WASH for all" is achieved. They include