The role of marginalised women in sanitation initiatives: Somali women in northern Kenya

ABSTRACT

Research has shown women from marginalised communities have significant articulated needs for sanitation that are often unmet. Using focus group discussions with displaced Somali women living in rural villages in northern Kenya, this study found that women’s central concerns were for personal safety and convenience rather than hygiene; and for alleviation from the pain and discomfort associated with female genital mutilation and reproduction. Based on the findings, the article recommends organisations supporting sanitation initiatives should adopt approaches responsive to women’s particular concerns and needs. It makes specific recommendations for implementing an agenda of participation in a context where women are highly marginalised.

La recherche a démontré qu’en matière d’assainissement, les femmes issues de communautés marginalisées expriment des besoins significatifs qui sont souvent non-satisfaits. À partir de groupes de discussion thématique conduits avec des femmes somaliennes déplacées vivant dans des villages ruraux du nord du Kenya, cette étude révèle que les préoccupations principales de ces participantes sont leur sécurité et leur confort personnels, plutôt que l’hygiène; et l’atténuation des douleurs et de la gêne associées aux mutilations génitales féminines et à la reproduction. Sur la base de ces résultats, cet article recommande aux organismes responsables d’initiatives d’assainissement d’adopter des approches pouvant répondre aux préoccupations et aux besoins particuliers des femmes. Il émet des recommandations précises pour la mise en place d’un programme de participation des femmes, dans un contexte où celles-ci sont fortement marginalisées.

Diversas investigaciones han demostrado que las mujeres de comunidades marginalizadas tienen necesidades significativas y articuladas en el área de sanidad que a menudo quedan insatisfechas. Mediante la realización de diálogos en grupos de enfoque con mujeres somalíes desplazadas actualmente asentadas en aldeas rurales del norte de Kenia, el presente estudio comprobó que, más que con la higiene, las principales preocupaciones de estas mujeres tienen que ver con la seguridad personal y la conveniencia, siendo también motivo de desasosiego el alivio del dolor y el malestar asociados con la mutilación genital femenina y la reproducción. Basándose en estos hallazgos, el artículo recomienda a las organizaciones que promueven iniciativas de sanidad que adopten enfoques que respondan a las particulares preocupaciones y necesidad de las mujeres. Asimismo, establece recomendaciones para la implementación de una agenda centrada en la participación en un contexto en que las mujeres se encuentran altamente marginalizadas.

KEYWORDS:

• Civil society – NGOs
• Gender and diversity
• Social sector – Water and sanitation
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Wambui Thuita was awarded a New Zealand Aid in Development (NZAID) scholarship to complete her Master’s degree at Auckland University of Technology in 2010. This study was conducted as the basis for her Master’s thesis. Wambui has now returned to her native Kenya and is a water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) specialist. She works to promote safe sanitation and to increase safe water access for people living with HIV/AIDS and other marginalised social groups such as orphans, vulnerable children, and women in the most remote regions of Kenya; Turkana, Tana River, Garissa and Isiolo Counties. Wambui’s research interests include the sustainability of safe water and sanitation in Kenya, gender and development, and HIV/AIDS and maternal health among marginalised social groups.

Cath Conn’s background is in international development and health as a manager, consultant, and academic. She has worked primarily in East and West Africa with INGOs, local NGOs, and government departments. Cath is currently Head of Department for the School of Public Health at Auckland University of Technology. Her research interests include young people, young women, health development in Africa and South East Asia, HIV prevention, sexuality and sexual health, gender empowerment, critical health management and policy, and participative methodologies.

Kaisa Wilson is a Research Officer in the School of Public Health at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. She has worked in aid and development programmes in Asia and Africa and continues to conduct and publish research in the field. Kaisa’s current research interests include international aid and development, gender, belonging, and discursive methodologies.

Notes

1. Miraa is a locally prepared drink made from a plant, catha edulis, with amphetamine-like properties.