Advancing Action on Gender, Sanitation and Quality of Life Nexus in Kenya’s WASH Sector

Published On: December 11, 2025
Policy brief
Population Dynamics and Urbanization in Africa

Adequate sanitation and hygiene are critical determinants of health, social participation and dignity. In many Kenyan households, women and girls carry the main responsibility of sanitation and hygiene management. Yet, they are often missing in the decision-making platforms on sanitation investments, leaving their sanitation and hygiene needs largely unaddressed (Wendland et al., 2019). The responsibility of sanitation and hygiene management is time-intensive and physically demanding, limiting opportunities for education and income generation (Kayser et al., 2019). Inadequate access to safe, private, and hygienic sanitation facilities further undermines girls and women’s mental health and overall quality of life (Caruso et al., 2017).