Gendered providers

Published on: 30/10/2012

For example, in the SNV/IRC/Local Government sanitation programme 13 of the 30 sanitation shops and production centres in four districts in Laos (43%) had a female owner or co-owner. In Cambodia, all four centres involved had also female staff; one woman was the general manager. In Asia, women often work as unskilled workers in the building industry. Both in Kerala and Vietnam rural sanitation programmes successfully trained women mason helpers to become fully-fledged sanitation masons. Experiences have been positive in several states in India, among them West Bengal, except for the district of Alappad in Kerala. The latter did not pay the 100 female masons when their funds were cut.

Background information and materials referred to in the article:

• 13 of the 30 sanitation shops and production centres in four districts in Laos (43%) had a female owner or co-owner.
• In Cambodia, all four centres involved had also female staff; one woman was the general manager.
• in Kerala and Vietnam rural sanitation programmes successfully trained women mason helpers to become fully-fledged sanitation masons.
• Experiences have been positive in several states in India, among them West Bengal
• 100 female masons were not paid when funds were cut.