We all know that people have different
physical needs in terms of sanitation services, whether it is due to menstruation or women's increased need for privacy.
Last month saw Amnesty International voice its concerns over the issue of Kenyan women’s
access to safe and accessible sanitation
services. In a report released by the organization, it was stated that
women were particularly affected by the poor sanitation conditions in the slums
and informal settlements. Not
only are these women subjected to the indignity
of inadequate provisions, which
prompts many to wait till nightfall to use what facilities there are, but
security in these areas is severely lacking. This means that women are at risk
of gender-based violence and vulnerable to rape while trying to bathe or use the
toilet.
Presently,
violence against women in these slums and settlements is unfortunately a common
occurrence with the offenders rarely brought to justice. This needs to change,
which is why many human rights organizations, are calling on the Kenyan government to ensure that proper
facilities are provided for the people of these slums and that security
measures in the form of better lighting and policing are introduced.
In such insecure situations, MADRE and our sister organizations in countries such as Haiti have helped to provide women with flashlights and whistles, which have been essential in providing security for women and girls in these communities, where there are no street lights and no reliable police
protection.
However,
not only are poor sanitation conditions an issue because of the danger they
present to personal security, there are also major health risks that are a consequence
of these inadequate provisions. A lack
of access to clean water, a basic human right, is another massive challenge
facing the people of these Kenyan slums. Climate change has had a significant
impact, with drought and contaminated water confounding the already difficult
situation that many Kenyans are in.
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