Inclusive WASH Workplaces
When considering gender equality, disability and social inclusion in WASH, we need to look at both the people who are benefiting from and managing WASH systems, and the institutions that shape and deliver WASH services. We also need to transform these organisations so that they “walk the talk” of equality and inclusion.
Importance of a Diverse Workforce
WASH organisations are the entities through which WASH standards, policies, services and systems are identified, developed and delivered. Therefore, equality and diversity within WASH organisations are a key part of transforming the WASH sector. Institutional change is needed to achieve gender equality and inclusion outcomes in programs and structures. In addition, there is increasing evidence that organisations with women (in all their diversity) in senior positions, and greater diversity overall, perform better and that these women have a positive impact on organisations’ governance, identities and public images.
Greater diversity in leadership and decision-making positions also serves to provide much-needed role models for other employees to aspire to, and their presence attracts more women and members of minorities to join organisations by normalising diversity in senior roles. Diversity also serves to promote an inclusive work culture when gender equality and inclusion are prioritised and normalised, for example by developing and aligning organisational policies that are shaped by the lived experiences of employees.
An inclusive workforce supports the interlinked Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for example by promoting SDG 5 (gender quality) and SDG 6 (water and sanitation for all) in an integrated manner. Moreover, leaving no one behind (LNOB) in WASH is impossible to achieve without an inclusive WASH workforce (including in management and governance structures) in institutions to represent the diverse and marginalised voices and challenge the inherent biases of those in power.
ISF-UTS and partners conducted research on gender dynamics in Cambodia and Indonesia, along with a document review of organisational activities and strategies from across the globe to address gender equality and inclusion. The following guidance and database is a result of this extensive research which spans both within and beyond the WASH sector.
The framing of this guidance note and the activities database, are adapted from the Equal Aqua: Inclusive Water Institutions Platform framework.
Guidance
This guidance document is intended to support WASH workplaces to become more inclusive. It highlights the context and provides actionable ideas, tools and responses to GEDSI inequalities across the various stages in a career cycle, as represented in the framework above. It supports the many calls to action on gender and inclusion by looking at dimensions of inequality within the WASH workforce, with a practical approach to change them, drawing on international examples, literature and practice.
Database
The Inclusive Water and Sanitation Database builds from the Equal Aqua Initiative, and is an interactive tool which includes over 180 gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) initiatives from organisations across the world, including water and sanitation utilities, government departments, civil society organisations, enterprises and the private sector. Examples have been sought from a range of countries and regions. As a living document, it will grow as more examples from around the world are added.
Guidance
This guidance document is intended to support WASH workplaces to become more inclusive. It highlights the context and provides actionable ideas, tools and responses to GEDSI inequalities across the various stages in a career cycle, as represented in the framework above. It supports the many calls to action on gender and inclusion by looking at dimensions of inequality within the WASH workforce, with a practical approach to change them, drawing on international examples, literature and practice
Database
The Inclusive Water and Sanitation Database builds from the Equal Aqua Initiative, and is an interactive tool which includes over 180 gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) initiatives from organisations across the world, including water and sanitation utilities, government departments, civil society organisations, enterprises and the private sector. Examples have been sought from a range of countries and regions. As a living document, it will grow as more examples from around the world are added.
Additional Resources
Inclusive WASH Workforce
A mosaic of identities, opportunities, and challenges: How intersectionality shapes the experiences of female water, sanitation, and hygiene entrepreneurs in Indonesia
Many intersecting factors influence the identity, motivations, and experiences of women entrepreneurs. This paper explores the experiences of female water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) entrepreneurs in the context of the region of Nusa Tenggara in Eastern Indonesia.
Type: Journal Article
Date: September 2023
Citation: (2023) A mosaic of identities, opportunities, and challenges: How intersectionality shapes the experiences of female water, sanitation, and hygiene entrepreneurs in Indonesia, Asian Journal of Women’s Studies, 29:3, 385-412, DOI: 10.1080/12259276.2023.2248807
“We cannot work alone”: A study of WASH and gender equality civil society partnerships
This summary brief presents findings from research on the drivers, benefits, and challenges of engagement between water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) civil society organisations (CSOs) and gender equality and women’s rights organisations in Indonesia.
Type: Summary Brief
Date: February 2022
Working together: A study of WASH and gender equality civil society partnerships in Timor-Leste
This summary brief shares highlights from a study that aimed to better understand connections and engagement between water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) civil society organisations (CSOs) and women’s and gender equality and inclusion (GESI) CSOs in Timor-Leste.
Type: Summary Brief
Date: August 2022
Gender equality in the government water, sanitation, and hygiene workforce in Indonesia: An analysis through the Gender at Work framework
Gender inequality remains a persistent challenge in workforces globally, with the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) workforce no exception. This paper aimed to investigate gender dynamics in the Indonesian government WASH workforce at national and subnational levels and evolve conceptual foundations for this type of study.
Type: Journal Article
Date: September 2021
Citation: Soeters S, Siscawati M, Ratnasari, et al. (2021) Gender equality in the government water, sanitation, and hygiene workforce in Indonesia: an analysis through the Gender at Work framework. Development Studies Research 8(1). 280–293. DOI: 10.1080/21665095.2021.1978300
Women in Leadership- Reflections from the government WASH workforce in Indonesia
This summary brief presents the key findings from research to investigate gender dynamics in the Indonesian water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) government workforce at national and subnational levels, using the Gender at Work framework.
Type: Summary Brief
Date: December 2021
What will it take to strengthen diversity amongst female water, sanitation and hygiene entrepreneurs in Indonesia?
This summary brief presents the key findings from research to investigate the multi-dimensional enablers and barriers faced by female water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) entrepreneurs in the context of Eastern Indonesia.
Type: Summary Brief
Date: December 2021
Gender equality and women in WASH enterprises in Cambodia: A synthesis of studies
This synthesis of recent studies compiles literature and practical experiences of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working with women in WASH enterprises in Cambodia.
Type: Synthesis Report
Date: April 2020
Engaging the Private Sector in Inclusive WASH: Reading List
This curated reading list compiles key resources related to private sector engagement in WASH, with a focus on inclusion.
Type: Reading List
Updated: January 2024
