WaterAid
International NGO focused on water, sanitation and hygiene in low-income countries
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International NGO
Countries of Activity
EthiopiaGhanaKenyaLiberiaMadagascarMalawiMaliMozambiqueNigerNigeriaRwandaSenegalSierra LeoneBangladeshBurkina FasoCambodiaColombiaIndiaMyanmarNepalNicaraguaPakistanPapua New GuineaTimor-LesteEswatiniSouth AfricaTanzania United Republic ofUgandaZambia
Projects
Resources in SuSanA Library
Om Prasad Gautam, Babazile Bhembe, Lindsay Denny, Lara Kontos, Joana Da Cunha Forte, Golam Muktadir and John Knight • (2024) Technical guide for handwashing facilities in public places and institutions
Hand hygiene is a key line of defence for many diseases, including diarrhoea and cholera. To maintain good hand hygiene and get more people into the habit of regularly washing their hands, public handwashing facilities with soap and water are essential. For many years, we have worked with governments, UNICEF and […]}
Muhammad Umar Ali, Dr. Muhammad Azeem • (2024) Sanitation Workers in Lahore: A Socio-Legal Study
The report provides an in-depth analysis of the working conditions, socio-economic challenges, and legal protections (or lack thereof) faced by sanitation workers in Lahore, Pakistan. Published by the Labour Research & Development Institute (LRDI) in collaboration with the Pakistan Workers Federation, the study is part of the ILO Japan Multi-bilateral […]}
Freya Mills, Tim Foster, Antoinette Kome, Rajeev Munankami, Gabrielle Halcrow, Antony Ndungu, Barbara Evans & Juliet Willetts • (2024) Indicators to complement global monitoring of safely managed on-site sanitation to understand health risks
This document highlights significant occupational health and safety risks for sanitation workers during the emptying of on-site sanitation systems. A major concern is the direct exposure to health risks, as many workers enter containments like pits and septic tanks, with only 8% of systems emptied without such entry. Risks are […]}
• (2024) Introducing 'Shasthya Nirapotta Scheme'
WaterAid in collaboration with Waadaa.Insure and Chartered Life, introduced Shasthya Nirapotta Scheme (SNS), a health protection scheme for low-income people specially the sanitation workers to ease their struggles and triumphs. This health protection initiative is designed to improve healthcare access and provide financial support in the event of the premium holder's […]}
Taibat Lawanson, Basirat Oyalowo and Anthony Akpan • (2024) The Hidden World of Lagos Sanitation Workers: Investigating Livelihood Vulnerabilities and Empowerment Opportunities
This publication explores the critical yet underappreciated role of sanitation workers in Lagos, focusing on their contributions to urban management and public health, especially in the wake of COVID-19. The study investigates the socio-economic conditions, challenges, and innovative practices of these workers, highlighting their essential role in waste management and […]}
WaterAid Cambodia • (2022) In my own words - Sanitation workers tell their own stories
Though a lot of efforts and supports have been provided to sanitation workers, still their nature of works are critical and dangerous to their health and hygiene, and most of the time lack of respect, support and collaboration from local people. Sanitation workers of in Battambang city have full right […]}
Anju Dwivedi, Abhinav Kumar, Shubhagato Dasgupta • (2023) Understanding Enablers and Barriers for Social Protection of Sanitation Workers in Dhenkanal Odisha, India
In the past decade, India's Swachh Bharat Mission has significantly improved sanitation infrastructure, including toilets and treatment plants. However, sanitation workers, essential to maintaining safe sanitation, face hazardous conditions, discrimination, long hours, and low social status. To address these issues, the Government of India and state governments have launched various […]}
DEPOCEN • (2024) Understanding the the dire plight of sanitation workers in Hanoi, Vietnam
The rapid urban development in Hanoi has exposed weaknesses in the city's sanitation infrastructure, straining the waste management system and increasing pressures on sanitation workers who already face hazardous conditions, financial insecurity, and societal discrimination. The study found that urban workers face more health hazards, while rural workers suffer greater […]}
Bridget Nagawa Tamale, Tonny Ssekamatte, John Bosco Isunju, Aisha Nalugya, Mujjabi Martin Mukasa, Arnold Tigaiza, Doreen Nakalembe, Winnifred K. Kansiime, Ceaser Kimbugwe, Jane Sembuche Mselle and Richard K. Mugambe • (2024) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among desludging operators in Uganda
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a significant occupational health concern, particularly among workers engaged in physically demanding and labor-intensive tasks. Desludging operators, who are responsible for the removal and management of fecal sludge, are particularly susceptible to these disorders due to the strenuous nature of their work. Despite the critical […]}
WaterAid India • (2019) The hidden world of sanitation workers in India
The stigmatised caste system in India remains to be the key determinant of the fate of these workers. As a result, people, families and communities mainly ‘Dalits’ are compelled to perform these tasks which are not just hazardous and stigmatising but also highly underpaid. This not only makes their identities […]}
Amita Bhakta, Sally Cawood, Mariam Zaqout and Barbara Evans • (2022) Sanitation work: Realizing equity and inclusion in WASH
Recognition of the human right to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and equity and inclusion concerns around gender, disability and age have led to crucial change in WASH programmes and policy, responding to commonly hidden issues such as menstrual hygiene, inclusive facilities for people with disabilities, and affordable services for […]}
Prerana Somani and Andrés Hueso González • (2020) Assessing the usability of personal protective equipment for sanitation workers in tropical countries
Efforts to meet SDG target 6.2 overlook sanitation workers' health and safety. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), workers lack proper personal protective equipment (PPE), leading to risks of injury and illness. Even when available, PPE is inconsistently used. This study examines PPE usability for sewer cleaners and tank emptiers […]}
Sina Temesgen Tolera, Wegene Diriba, Gebisa Dirirsa Gutema, and Gudeta Kaweti • (2023) Determinants of Occupational Health and Safety Outcomes Among Sanitation Workers Across Worldwide: A Systematic Review on Cross-Sectional Studies
Sanitation workers face occupational health and safety challenges due to unsafe working conditions and exposure to waste. Numerous studies have highlighted the occupational hazards and accidents faced by sanitation workers, who are also frequently subject to discrimination and neglect within societies. However, there has been limited research quantifying the factors […]}
• (2024) Statewide Intensive Capacity Building Programs on Occupational Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers in Maharashtra
This collaborative effort between the Government of Maharashtra, RCUES of AIILSG Mumbai, and UNICEF India aimed to empower sanitation workers through a comprehensive capacity building program focused on occupational safety and dignity. The initiative successfully trained over 250 Master Trainers who then disseminated their knowledge to more than 2,000 sanitation […]}
Jonathan Wilcox; Bruce Rutayisire; Nicholas Kuria; Barbara Evans; Jamie Bartram; Rachel Sklar • (2023) Developing formal pit-latrine emptying businesses for hard-to-serve customers: resources, methods, and pricing structures
This study compares pit-latrine emptying businesses in Kampala, Uganda, and Kigali, Rwanda, focusing on resources, methods, and tariffs. Empirical data from Forever Sanitation and Pit Vidura show challenges with portable vacuum pumps in hard-to-reach areas, highlighting the need for formal manual emptying for some customers where mechanical methods are not […]}
Vanita Suneja, Jaison Thomas and Faysal Abbas, with contributions from Andrés Hueso González, Sterenn Philippe, Julie Fisher, Adnan Hakeem, Arif Jabbar. Supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • (2023) Improving social protection for sanitation workers in Pakistan
Sanitation workers play a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and safety within the sanitation chain, a crucial aspect of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. However, they often face poor working conditions, social and economic marginalization, and significant health risks, including the threat of infection and injury, sometimes leading to […]}
Vanita Suneja, Jaison Thomas and Faysal Abbas, with contributions from Andrés Hueso González, Sterenn Philippe, Julie Fisher, Seema Rajouria, Tripti Rai. Supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • (2023) Improving social protection for sanitation workers in Nepal
Sanitation workers play a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and safety within the sanitation chain, a crucial aspect of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. However, they often face poor working conditions, social and economic marginalization, and significant health risks, including the threat of infection and injury, sometimes leading to […]}
Vanita Suneja, Jaison Thomas and Faysal Abbas, with contributions from Andrés Hueso González, Sterenn Philippe, Julie Fisher, Hossain H. Adib, Mahadi Hasan and Hasin Jaha. Supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • (2023) Improving social protection for sanitation workers in Bangladesh
Sanitation workers play a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and safety within the sanitation chain, a crucial aspect of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. However, they often face poor working conditions, social and economic marginalization, and significant health risks, including the threat of infection and injury, sometimes leading to […]}
Vanita Suneja, Jaison Thomas and Faysal Abbas, with contributions from Andrés Hueso González, Sterenn Philippe, Julie Fisher. Supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • (2023) Improving social protection for sanitation workers in South Asia
Sanitation workers provide an essential public service to ensure cleanliness and safety along the sanitation chain. This is key to achieving the ambitious Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, although poor working conditions, social and economic marginalization, high risk of infection and injury even death, mean it is often […]}
Sterenn Philippe, Andrés Hueso, Gloria Kafuria, Jules Sow, Hermann B. Kambou, Wandoo Akosu and Lloyd Beensi • (2022) Challenges Facing Sanitation Workers in Africa: A Four-Country Study
Sanitation workers encounter significant challenges that jeopardize their dignity and health, crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite their vital role, many governments in low- and middle-income countries neglect support for this workforce due to insufficient understanding of their needs and obstacles. The paper explores challenges faced by sanitation workers […]}
Vanita Suneja, Jaison Thomas and Faysal Abbas, with contributions from Andrés Hueso González, Sterenn Philippe, Julie Fisher. Supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • (2023) Access to Social Protection by Sanitation Workers in South Asia
Sanitation workers provide an essential public service to ensure cleanliness and safety along the sanitation chain. This is key to achieving the ambitious Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, although poor working conditions, social and economic marginalization, high risk of infection and injury even death, mean it is often […]}
WaterAid • (2022) Faecal sludge management guide
Faecal sludge management is the collection, transport, treatment and reuse or disposal of faecal sludge from pit latrines, septic tanks and other on-site sanitation technologies, and is crucial to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. You can use this guide as a reference document to help create better sanitation programmes, […]}
Peal, A. and Kapulu, C. • (2021) City-level quantification and profiling of sanitation workers
Sanitation workers are a vital workforce, key to Sustainable Development Goal 6, and yet they are often denied their rights to safe work. But how can working conditions be improved, if authorities know nothing about them? This report presents options for how to carry out a quantification and profiling through […]}
WaterAid, ILO, World Bank, WHO • (2019) The hidden world of sanitation workers - Media briefing (in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish)
Every year, the human race produces over 350 million tonnes of poo – that’s enough to fill 140,000 Olympic swimming pools! Unless that human waste is properly dealt with, every single gram will pose a significant health risk to us and our planet. Ensuring that our contact with human waste ends […]}
WaterAid
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