The Joint Programme on Gender, Hygiene and Sanitation

INFORMATION LETTER NO. 10, JANUARY-JUNE 2017 The inception of a political movement for MHM in

Niger has made considerable progress in recent months in promoting sanitation and hygiene for women and girls.

Two workshops were held in December by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, 2016 and February 2017 on the which was chosen by the participants to integration of menstrual hygiene in play a leading role in mobilising decision- national policies and strategies. In his makers on MHM. opening statement, the Minister of Water and Sanitation of Niger, His Excellency Improving cooperation Nigerien Minister Barmou Salifou at the opening of the February 2017 policy workshop. ©REJEA Barmou Salifou, said it was time to break The growing number of actors for MHM the silence on the importance of good must work out how to cooperate more menstrual hygiene and commit to work in effectively. During the two workshops, It is time to favour of integration (of MHM) in public participants agreed to work with elected policies. officials, including those outside break the silence. (in regions, departments and towns) and Barmou Salifou, High-level officials from various ministries to involve the network of elected female Minister of Water and Sanitation of Niger (water and sanitation, health, education, officials in the implementation of MHM environment) took part in activities led activities. Continued on page 2

Women waiting before the Lab celebrated at Tillabéri Region in Niger, last August 2016 ©WSSCC /Javier Acebal THE JOINT PROGRAMME ON GENDER, HYGIENE AND SANITATION

Continued from page 1

They also decided to set up an intersectoral platform to exchange information and created a joint working group from various sectoral ministries to compile an information sheet and promote menstrual hygiene, in order to help integrate MHM in public policies.

The number of MHM labs and information sites on menstrual hygiene is increasing. Tents were set up in various regions and communities, as well as in refugee camps. These MHM labs helped raised awareness of the issue. There is huge demand for more information and adequate facilities. Last May in Dosso, Niger, five ministers and sixty young men and women spent several hours in the MHM lab on International Women’s Day receiving basic information on menstrual hygiene.

Community leaders were also trained: 144 in the Maradi region, and some 200 others are expected to be trained. New information tools should also be available soon including an awareness caravan which will specifically target men, reports on menstrual hygiene and a documentary on the subject.

Actors in the MHM movement reflected on the adaptation of infrastructure to enable good menstrual hygiene. The management of infrastructure is also being considered, including such as: Which business model should be used? Can a model management contract be drawn up? Do neighbouring countries have models that Niger could copy?

Although key work is still to be done to formalise this initiative, the movement for menstrual hygiene is well underway.

2 INFORMATION LETTER NO. 10, JANUARY-JUNE 2017 CSW 61 Side event: Poor WASH creates barriers for women in the workplace

Around 90 people, from 11 countries (Cameroon, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, India, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Singapore and the United States of America) attended to the side event. ©Michelle Chouinard

The Commission on the Status of Women is one of the largest annual gatherings of global leaders, NGOs, private sector actors, United Nations partners and activists from around the world focusing on the status of rights and empowerment of women and girls. The theme of this year`s meeting was “Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work”.

See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/csw61-2017#sthash.TYVn3pbS.dpuf

The long-neglected issue of WASH in the workplace Singapore: sanitation was highlighted at a special side session at the 61st success story shows meeting of the Commission on the Status Women progress is possible (CSW61) in New York on 20 March 2017 Singapore’s transformation –within Organised by WSSCC and co-hosted has been given to the workplace and the the space of 50 years– from a by the Permanent Missions of Niger impact of poor WASH on women working developing country with a poor and Singapore to the United Nations, outside the home. With more than 80% sanitation and hygiene record, the event brought together several of the labour force in Sub-Saharan Africa and widespread open defecation, prominent speakers who underlined the employed in the informal sector, including to one of the world’s cleanest serious economic and social barriers a high proportion of women in low- countries, underpins the country`s confronting women in the informal sector paying jobs such as street food vending, leadership role in the global sanitation due to inadequate sanitation and hygiene market stall retail and rubbish collection, movement. Singapore has played an infrastructure. Speakers also called for inadequate WASH creates additional instrumental role in destigmatizing improved WASH policy, programming and socio-economic barriers that restrict toilets and sanitation and promoting monitoring measures to address the issue. women`s equitable access to work and global and national discussion through contribution to society. its support for the World Toilet While all three Joint Programme countries Organization (2001), UN Resolution (Cameroon, Niger and Senegal) are already Elback Zeinabou Tari Bako, Minister A/RES/67/291 on `Sanitation for All’ taking steps to improve WASH in schools of Women’s Empowerment and Child (2013) and the designation of World and the home environment, little attention Protection of Niger, spoke about the steps Toilet Day (19 November).

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Niger has taken to formalise inter-sectoral The informal sector and inter-ministerial collaboration on menstrual hygiene management, while SUB-SAHARAN contributes 55% of Sub- acknowledging that more needs to be AFRICA’S GDP Saharan Africa’s GDP and done to monitor ministerial actions and differentiate the needs in urban and accounts for 89% of the remote rural areas. 55% labour force. It is a primary The scarcity of adequate public sanitation employment source for facilities has an adverse impact on women`s safety, dignity and health. New research women, most working in conducted by Joint Programme partners in Cameroon, Niger and Senegal reveals that low-paying jobs. around half of women curtail their usual Source: African Development Bank https://www.afdb.org/en/blogs/ economic activities during menstruation afdb-championing-inclusive-growth-across-africa/post/recognizing- africas-informal-sector-11645/ due to inadequate sanitation facilities and other associated health and psycho-social constraints. This exacerbates the social and economic difficulties of women in the WOMEN IN INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT AS A informal economy who face regular loss PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT of earnings and usually rely on an average daily income of USD 3.00 to meet their basic human needs for food, housing, SOUTH ASIA INFORMAL WORKERS clothing and health care (ILO 2012). CAN INCLUDE: % 95 STREET VENDORS Ambassador Burhan Gafoor, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA PETTY GOODS AND SERVICE UN in New York, recalled the key role TRADERS improved sanitation and hygiene played in 89% SUBSISTENCE FARMERS Singapore`s remarkable progress since the SEASONAL WORKERS 1960`s (see Box). He stressed commitment LATIN AMERICA AND to improving sanitation globally and the THE CARIBBEAN DOMESTIC WORKERS responsibility of men, as well as women, to 59% INDUSTRIAL OUTWORKERS solve the problem.

In the early Loss of productivity due to years in illnesses caused by a lack of sanitation and poor hygiene Singapore, many of the practices is estimated to cost public toilet facilities many countries up to 5% of GDP. were built by the Source: Hutton 2012; https://goo.gl/5Muc3g government and PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION WITHOUT maintenance was ACCESS TO PUBLIC SANITATION FACILITIES ensured. Leadership at CAMEROON NIGER SENEGAL the top is important. 55% 90% 54%

— Ambassador Burhan Gafoor, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations in New York. Source: It’s No Joke: The State of the World’s Toilets, WaterAid 2015 https://goo.gl/tui9bu

4 INFORMATION LETTER NO. 10, JANUARY-JUNE 2017

Investing in good toilets in the workplace and schools so that women and girls have clean, separate facilities to maintain their dignity, and to manage menstruation or pregnancy safely, can boost what is often referred to as the ‘girl effect’: maximising the involvement of half the population in society (Girl Effect 2015).

Source: http://www.un.org/en/events/toiletday/ assets/img/posters/fact_sheet_toiletsandjobs_ The local market in Tambacounda, Senegal. ©WSSCC / Javier Acebal EN_3.pdf

The research findings also show that even when facilities exist, women are Check List: Gender-Sensitive Toilets reluctant to use them due to the poor quality of construction, management 99 Are there sufficient numbers of toilets? and maintenance. Compounding their 99 Are they working, clean, lockable? reluctance to use dirty, unsanitary toilets, women also expressed concern for their 99 Are there separate facilities for men and women? personal privacy, safety and security due 99 Is there running water for people to wash their hands or for women to manage to the predominant lack of separate public menstruation safely? toilets for men and women, and doors that can be locked from the inside. Source: Adapted from http://www.un.org/en/events/toiletday/assets/img/posters/fact_ sheet_toiletsandjobs_EN_3.pdf

Concluding the side event, Dr. Chris Williams, Executive Director of WSSCC, called for the inclusion of WASH-related Relevant agreed conclusions of CSW61 barriers for women and girls in the workplace ! in the main agenda of CSW62 (2018) and for Improve the security and safety of women on the journey to and from work... the issue to be tackled as a cross-cutting through gender-responsive rural development strategies and urban planning and rather than solely a gender issue. He also infrastructure including…separate and adequate sanitation facilities, so as to noted the need to improve monitoring facilitate women’s access to places, products, services and economic opportunities. in order to assess the extent to which Source: http://undocs.org/E/CN.6/2017/L.5 ministries translate actions into reality on the ground. Read the full report here.

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6 INFORMATION LETTER NO. 10, JANUARY-JUNE 2017

(L-R) Dr Eyongsi, IFORD – Univerity of Yaounde II; Her Excellency Elback Zeinabou Tare Bako, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection of Niger; Ms Archana Patkar, Head of Policy, WSSCC; His Excellency Ambassador Burhan Gafoor, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations in New York and Dr Chris Williams, Executive Director, WSSCC. ©Kathleen Ho

Testimonies of side event The role of attendees government is important – I appreciated the content, scope and delivery of the event. The content of this event is high value and I hope can be shared more widely beyond this session. but we need a The session highlighted for me the tremendous work being done around the world to address WASH including women’s menstruation. The knowledge, experience, expertise multi- of the panellist and participants made a direct contribution to advancing the human stakeholder rights WASH agenda. The research study is truly a wealth of information that can be used strategically to build support for WASH. I would encourage this study to be shared approach that widely. The data/findings can be used for future education and awareness campaigns that build support globally. The country and NGO representatives in the room yesterday brings in private were clearly committed to the WASH agenda. The session could have easily been a foundations, day long! Outreach over the next year will be vital. There are critical partners from civil society that can support this call including the labour movement, and the NGO sector. the private The call to action for member states to support a future resolution is vital to move this issue forward at the UN. sector and — Dianne O’Reggio, Columbia University student encourages My experience with WSSCC at CSW 61 was incredibly impactful. Through this local opportunity, I attended the WSSCC’s side event for menstrual hygiene in Niger. As my first experience with the UN, I was particularly impressed with the ability of delegates communities to and advocates from around the world to come together and speak to this issue. I saw first- take action on hand what global leadership is and WSSCC is spearheading an essential and necessary movement. I have an entirely new appreciation for international advocacy and hope to their own. continue to work in this capacity. I want to thank WSSCC for the fantastic experience and encourage others to serve at future CSW conferences, as it was one to remember. Ambassador Gafoor — Michelle Chouinard, Columbia University student

7 THE JOINT PROGRAMME ON GENDER, HYGIENE AND SANITATION Design of WASH facilities adapted in two refugee camps of Cameroon Hygiene and sanitation installations are often a problem in refugee camps. Those in Minawao in the far north of Cameroon and Ngam in the east of the MINAWAO country are no exception. Opened in 2014 to welcome Nigerians A similar space for women in Miniawao fleeing the conflict in their region opened in May 2017 – the Ngam area (Minawao) and the victims of inter- will follow. These spaces have provided community violence in the Central an opportunity to build toilets specifically African Republic (Ngam), the camps face adapted for the needs of women and girls. NGAM problems with water and inadequate This initiative of UN Women Cameroon, sanitary installations; women are aims to provide a safe and comfortable particularly affected. space for refugees who are often victims of sexual violence. In the vast camp at In the Minawao and Ngam refugee camps Minawao around 30,000 women have in Cameroon, new dedicated spaces benefitted from these services. for women are now fitted with sanitary installations. From solar panels, waste Toilets in these spaces are adapted to the incinerators to appropriate facilities for needs of all women. They are separated disabled persons, everything has been from men’s toilets with clear signage and MINAWAO done to meet everyone’s needs and have lighting and lockable door. provide a welcoming environment. TOTAL POPULATION(1) 61.974 WOMEN(1) 33.218 AREA 623 Ha. NGAM

TOTAL POPULATION(2) 6.935 WOMEN(2) 3.676 AREA 37 Ha.

1 - February 2017 2 - May 2017 Sources: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb. int/files/resources/Profile_Camp_Mi- nawao_Fevrier_2017.pdf http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb. An example of some ancient toilets at the Timangolo Camp, Cameroon ©WSSCC / Javier Acebal int/files/resources/57866.pdf

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EQUIPPED WASH FACILITES FOR BETTER AND SUSTAINABLE USE IN THE CAMPS

BINS FOR SAFE HANDWASHING HAND PUMP DISPOSAL FACILITIES INSTALLED

LOCKABLE FULLY LIGHTING FROM DOORS ADAPTED SOLAR PANNELS

Facilities include bins for throwing away The installations are built more than 30 installed for waste management. Efforts used sanitary towels and ensuring good metres from wells and water sources, have also been made to make women menstrual hygiene. Each area (men and at least 1.5 metres above the water feel welcome. A dozen mango trees have and women) is adapted for people with table. The toilets are also equipped with been planted to improve air quality and reduced mobility: the doors are wider, handwashing facilities, soap or other provide shelter from the sun. and handles and switches are at the right cleaning products. In addition, a hand height. pump ensures that water is available. A management committee has been appointed to carry out the cleaning and Basic standards regarding the building Electricity supply is guaranteed by maintenance of these areas. of sanitary installations have been met. solar panels and incinerators have been

SEPARATED LIGHTING TOILETS FOR INSIDE MEN AND WOMEN

CLEAR SIGNAGE

LOCKABLE DOOR New design of the women cohesion space Toilets in camps built in partnership with MSB. UN Women 10/05/2017

9 THE JOINT PROGRAMME ON GENDER, HYGIENE AND SANITATION New study on menstrual hygiene management in Niger highlights the need for more facilities and better maintenance

Half of women exhibited poor MHM practices; this figure rose to 98% among nomadic populations.

The results of the first of three action More than 1300 women, girls, men concerning taboos and myths surrounding research studies on menstrual hygiene and adolescent boys took part in the menstruation as well as women`s and management among sedentary and study which combined quantitative and girls` limited understanding of why they nomadic populations reveal the most qualitative approaches. The findings menstruate and the links between the urgent needs of women and girls in confirm the results of earlier studies menstrual cycle and reproductive health. four (Maradi, , Tillabéri and ) and supplement the body of information available from Key recommendations to address research findings Joint Programme studies conducted in previous years. 1. Increase the level of WASH infrastructure in communities and households and strengthen measures for the cleaning and maintenance of existing Commissioned by the Joint Programme and infrastructure. undertaken by the Institut de formation et de recherche de demographiques (IFORD) 2. Construct gender-separated latrines in educational establishments and public in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the research aimed places especially those frequented by economically active women, most of to examine and analyse the behaviours whom work in the informal sector. and practices related to MHM and their 3. Strengthen evidence-based advocacy to promote the integration of MHM impact on the living conditions of women into public policies and national and local development strategies. and girls in Niger, as well as the potential implications for public policy.

Menstruation is Poor WASH A quarter of women largely missing from infrastructure leads to and girls reported an ? sectoral policy lost hours of work for infection during documents and menstruating women menstruation, a women lack a forum and 40% of girls miss consequence of poor to express their MHM school during their hygiene practices. needs and concerns. period.

10 INFORMATION LETTER NO. 10, JANUARY-JUNE 2017 MHM integrated in two national strategies in Cameroon. The promotion of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) made significant progress in Cameroon with two recently adopted national strategies explicitly including MHM in their goals.

The National Community-Led Total Signed in 2016 by the Ministry of Basic The document addresses the question of Sanitation Strategy, validated in 2016, Education, the second strategy to include MHM in a paragraph on the integration of relies on the commitment of United MHM, concerns a key area for the country’s education and WASH in the curriculum. Nations Member States to set up future and the adoption of sound and The document notes that the question of measures in favour of sanitation for all sustainable hygiene practices in schools. menstrual hygiene education remains taboo and on the sustainable development The National Strategy for the Promotion in priority education zones. However, it also goals, which aim to provide all households of Drinking Water Supplies, Hygiene states that girls are increasingly free and access to sustainable and affordable and Sanitation in schools in Cameroon calls for regular educational conversations sanitation by 2030. covers all primary schools in the country, on this topic. and focuses mainly on schools in priority Signed by the Ministry of Energy and education zones in four impoverished GIRLS MUST BE MADE TO FEEL Water and the Ministry of Public Health, areas (Adamaoua, East, Far North and SAFE the strategy aims to end open defecation North) with a total of 3,907 schools. throughout the country by 2035. There To promote menstrual hygiene, the authors are four strategic arms, including one The question of of the strategy believe that girls must be (A2.3) involving the establishment of a menstrual hygiene made to feel safe by making separate toilets national marketing programme for rural education remains available, as well as appropriate toilet kits sanitation, which will include menstrual (sanitary towels, paper, cloths if possible, hygiene management. taboo in priority soap) and a health centre in or near the education zones school to help girls manage painful periods. Some towns, such as Ntui in the Centre province, have already taken steps and In the assessment of access to These new ministerial policies have been allocated a budget for the creation of sanitation and hygiene infrastructures welcomed by parliamentarians, who have equipment suited to the needs of women. in schools, the document reveals asked to be further involved. “I’ve realised “The town council has earmarked 10 that ‘most of the toilets available that menstrual hygiene management million CFA (approximately 20,000 USD) to pupils are not gender-sensitive,’ and even sanitation, is a huge problem,” for the building of toilets that ensure good which discourages girls in puberty admitted Cameroon Senator Emma Eno, menstrual hygiene,” announced Mveimba from using them during their periods “I’ll be more aware when voting for laws Oumarou, deputy mayor of Ntui. “They will and results in girls being absent during and reviewing Cameroon’s public policies”. be models for other towns”. their periods.

Training session and sensitization of Government agents on MHM, for its integration into National policies, held in Yaoundé, 02/06/2016. UN Women.

11 THE JOINT PROGRAMME ON GENDER, HYGIENE AND SANITATION Strengthening the cadre of trainers on MHM in West and Central Africa

In 2015, an online platform was established platform promotes a multi-sectoral approach, without the direct involvement of for West and Central African MHM trainers a key component of the Joint Programme. agencies responsible for implementating in order to combine information, documents Improving members’ understanding of the the Joint Programme. The training of an and lessons learned in one place and make existing links between the management initial group of 130 officers has therefore them available to members, as well as of menstrual hygiene, socio-economic provided awareness-raising and/or to promote discussion among trainers. and health-related developments, and the training for more than 13500 people This community of trainers reinforces the integration of these results in the Post-2015 throughout West and Central Africa over commitment and work of WSSCC in terms Agenda is also a vitally important component a two-year period (June 2015 to June of equality and non-discrimination. of the platform. 2017), through various local, national and/or regional activities. Thanks to the diversity of the members, A large number, awareness and training countries and sectors represented, the activities are conducted in the field,

VIDEO - WASH for women in the informal economy Testimony of women working in the market of Mbirkelane, Kaffrine (Senegal)

WSSCC and UN Women’s Joint Programme on West and Central Africa Click to watch the video! works with the governments of Niger, Senegal and Cameroon to highlight sanitation and hygiene issues for women. In this video, women in in a street market explain the challenges they face and their coping mechanisms. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J__i6d9bEwc

Acknowledgements Next steps Contributors September 2017: Rockaya Aidara Gaëlle Fouere Paulette Beat Fran Rice Conference on MHM in Humanitarian Settings, Geneva (Switzerland) Zambou Bouchard Maimouna Seyni Yayé Anthony Dedouche November/December 2017: Design: Conference on the Reduction of Inequality in the WASH Sector, Dakar (Senegal) Stephanie Gomez de la Torre Final evaluation of the Joint Programme Javier Acebal

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