UN document proposes separate bathrooms, for gender equality
A United Nations Women discussion paper titled “Towards Gender Equality Through Sanitation Access” presents the need to develop adequate sanitation provisions for women in order to achieve gender equality.
“We recognize that “dignity” is a highly culture and gender-specific term; we therefore argue that sanitation for all – sanitation that serves all genders equally – must be designed and planned explicitly for the unique needs of women and girls."
The paper mentions that women and girls menstruate and that there is a need to manage this natural phenomenon with proper hygiene and dignity.
“In this paper, we argue that sanitation needs are gendered because the differences stem both from biological bodies as well as the norms, expectations and taboos surrounding them.”
It further explains, “Women need more privacy than men when they use the facilities because social norms everywhere demand that they not be seen when relieving themselves. They need to urinate more frequently when they are pregnant. They may need more time in the toilet than men do because they must always sit and squat. They need physical safety when they access outside or public toilets…for some women, public toilets are the primary mode of access.”
In order to achieve gender equality, the paper mentioned the need for toilets that are women-friendly with special consideration for privacy, safety, and convenience.
It mentioned that in other countries, some women, out of consideration for modesty and privacy, wait until the evening before using the available restroom. So even food and drink is withheld to achieve this goal.
The document concluded that it is necessary to protect personal dignity when providing access to sanitation facilities.
“Male sanitation needs are different from female sanitation needs in part because of biology and in part because of social expectations. Lack of access to dignified sanitation affects women differently than men because of different requirements for modesty, personal security and the disproportionate burden of unpaid labor. All three needs of women and girls – defacation, urination and menstrual management – should be met with dignity through accessing a latrine that is clean, safe, accessible and affordable.”
To access the full discussion paper, check this link:
https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2016/towards-gender-equality-through-sanitation.pdf?la=en&vs=5952
