Child-Friendly Hygiene and Sanitation Facilities in Schools

CHILD-FRIENDLY HYGIENE AND SANITATION-FACILITIES IN SCHOOLS...
6. Address the special gender-related needs and roles.
Hygiene and sanitation needs are very gender specific. Women and girls have different physical
needs and culturally determined roles than men and boys and therefore each group demands
different solutions. Attention should be given to preventing harassment during toilet use by
people of the opposite and same sex. Sometimes women's and girls' needs, knowledge and
opinions are ignored because they are not involved in decision-making. Gender-biased division
of responsibilities during design, construction, operation and maintenance should be avoided.
Gender needs and roles
Besides having different physical needs than boys and men, women and girls have different roles in
society and thus different knowledge and views. When women and girls are not adequately involved
in design, construction and operation and maintenance of hygiene and sanitation facilities their
opinions and needs may not be identified and included. This is unacceptable; girls and boys, female
and male teachers, and mothers and fathers all have to be equally represented during every decisionmaking
activity concerning hygiene and sanitation facilities. The school environment functions as an
example in the community, and is therefore the place where children should learn about gender roles
and cooperation between women and men.
In addition to the above, it is important to realise that harassment and molestation does not only occur
between the sexes. It is also something that takes place among children of the same sex. Older children
tease younger children, stronger children molest weaker children, groups clash with each other, peer
pressure is exerted and even violence is sometimes used. Activities during life skills based hygiene
education that raise such issues, e.g. in case histories (stories) and role plays, help to raise discussions
and make it easier for children to learn how they can act in such situations.
Special attention for girls
It is recommended to conduct participatory female sessions separately from the boys and men so that
the girls and women can speak more freely. Important topics for girls and female teachers are:
• Location of facilities: Girls will not use facilities that are situated in an isolated location because of
the risk of rape or harassment. In some cultures it is unacceptable for girls to be seen visiting facilities.
• A proper environment for menstrual hygiene has to be provided for older girls and women. The
needs and requirements are culturally determined and could differ between ethnic groups or social
classes within the same community.
• Dialogue on sensitive issues related to girls' hygiene should begin during design and continue into
operation. In most countries talking about defecation, menstruation or reproductive health is
surrounded by a big taboo. If unacceptable things happen when using hygiene and sanitation
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