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Showing posts from December, 2023

Response to The International Water Association's Webinar on International Women's Day 2023

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International Women's Day 2023 rested on the agenda of ' Embrace Equity '. Equity, that ' equal opportunities aren't enough '; more work must be done to close the gender gap in order to reach SDG 5 of gender equality.   The International Water Association (IWA) held their annual International Women's Day webinar series this year, addressing the role of African women working in the WASH sector. 5 speakers from 5 different countries (Fig.1) spoke openly, honestly and motivatingly about their career experiences. Figure.1: speakers for the IWA webinar This webinar sparked contemplation and really allowed me to hone in on the importance of listening to female voices. As WASH organisations aim to 'mainstream gender' in their inclusion and equity promises, these women reiterated to me the importance of doing so. Not only that, but a reminder that whilst we must listen to women, we must also remember that not every women's experience is the same ( Ndesa...

The Menstrual Cup as a 'Development Device': Empowering Solutions to End Period Poverty

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I establish in my previous post the urgency to prioritise women's reproductive health. As  period poverty is a global issue regardless, a lack of equal access to water and sanitation facilities for women in parts of Africa, makes an already tough situation, much worse. Figure 1: UN Women, 2019 As a woman living in the UK, concerns surrounding our period tend not to be about finding clean, running water. Or if we can find a sanitary, safe toilet. Therefore, westernised minds must be careful not to inflict a western problem solving approach onto countries with differing social requirements. Taking a lesson out of Wainaina's piece on 'How to Write About Africa' , we should think purposefully about Africa in a way that does not make us a removed observer of social issues, nor an unflawed saviour.  "Decolonisation goes beyond diversity and inclusion. It is the commitment to make marginalised communities un-marginalised by recognising them as part of the whole and welcom...