Examination of Gender-Sensitive and Socially-Inclusive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (Wash) Facilities in the Major Markets of Anambra State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goal 6 second target states that by 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations. Thus, this study; Examination of Gender-sensitive and Socially–inclusive WASH Facilities in the major markets of Anambra State aimed was the examination of the gender-sensitive and socially–inclusive WASH facilities in the major markets of Anambra State.  The objectives of the study were to; assess the availability and equitable access to WASH services in the major markets of Anambra State, and to assess the availability of gender-sensitive and socially-inclusive WASH services in the major markets of Anambra State. Three hundred and ninety-nine (399) questionnaires were distributed to the respondents. The research design was a descriptive survey design while the sampling technique was the Stratified Random Sampling Technique. The population of study comprised of 74547 (which were obtained from the market unions of each market.) persons of which 399 persons were selected for the study using Taro Yamane formula. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire design by the researchers. The data collected were analyzed using the weighted mean and the Binary Logistic Regression Model. The model indicated that there is no significant relation between environmental cleanliness, adequacy of sanitary materials and types of toilets with gender-sensitivity. (chi-square=6.896, p value=0.075) and none of the predictor variables significantly predict the response variable. The major finding of this study was that the WASH facilities were not gender-sensitive and socially inclusive in their services to the major markets in Anambra State. The study concluded that special services have to be provided by the WASH facilities to women, girls, children and the physically challenged in view of their unique nature. It therefore, recommended that the State and the relevant local governments authorities should set up a machinery to this finding.