Women in Kibera
In particular, the female population faces threats of safety and security when presented with limited sanitation access. Women are more likely to be exposed to violence and insecurity within informal settlements, and are often found in worse economic situations when compared to their male counterparts.It seems to be the norm in Kibera that men are given more opportunity to be educated and less responsibility when it comes to the home and family (Amnesty International, 2009). Left as sole providers for their children, women are heavily affected by lacking infrastructure and how it has shaped the environment around them. Often requiring a greater need for privacy when using toilets and bathing , women are disproportionately affected by lack of sanitary facilities (Amnesty International, 2010). The amount of use required of a single toilet or latrine in Kibera is immense. With between 50 and 150 using one facility, this does not allow for adequate privacy while in use. The need for safety and security is outlined by this first hand account gathered by Amnesty International:
“The lack of sanitation facilities in Kibera affects women more than men…Men equally face the threat of violence but women are at increased risk of sexual and other forms of gender-based violence. Women tell us regularly how they are at risk of being raped or assaulted after dark or at night if they were to attempt to walk even 100 metres to a latrine near their houses” – an NGO official working in Kibera (2010, pg. 21)
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It becomes obvious how intricate proper sanitary facilities are for women in Kibera. This problem is not as simple as overcrowded toilets. There are many other issues which stem from this one. The threat of sexual violence, for instance, is one which overshadows many trips to public toilets. The lack of proper facilities in schools as well, causes many girls to miss school in order to “avoid the indignity of public bleeding” (Corburn and Hildebrand, 2015). These everyday dilemmas paired with the huge list of daily responsibilities, earning and providing for dependents, leaves women in difficult situations choosing between paying for toilet facilities, education, or food and basic necessities for themselves and their children. These issues are not specific to Kibera either. As outlined by the Republic of Kenya’s document on hygiene and sanitation, many Kenyans are without proper sanitary facilities. People throughout many countries face issues which can be traced back to lack of sanitation infrastructure, and often it is women who bear the brunt of the problem.
Amnesty International. (2009). The Women of Kibera. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaamPV4YDHU [Accessed 30 Mar. 2017].
Amnesty International. (2010). Insecurity and Indignity: Women’s Experiences in the Slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Available at: http://https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/AFR32/002/2010/en/ [Accessed 30 Mar. 2017].
Corburn, J., Hildebrand, C., 2015. Slum Sanitation and the Social Determinants of Women’s Health in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2015, e209505. doi:10.1155/2015/209505