<p>A secure Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) environment indicates safe and healthy human life and safeguards women’s dignity and privacy. Usually, women are responsible for household WASH management along with Menstrual Hygienic Services (MHS). In this context, our study aims to distinguish the contemporary condition of Women’s Empowerment (WE) and WASH and the influence of WE on WASH, including Safely Managed Drinking Water (SMW), Safely Managed Sanitation (SMS), Basic Hygiene Services (BHS), and Menstrual Hygiene Services (MHS) in India. The study utilizes the fifth National Family Health Survey of India from the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) of 2019–2021. The study uses descriptive statistics, bivariate scatter plots, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, bivariate LISA (Local indicators of spatial autocorrelation), and Moran’s I. Results from the study reflect that the districts from south, west, north, and northeast Indian states have an improved position in WE, SMW, and BHS. Meanwhile, the districts from south, west, and southeast states are better in SMS, and the districts from north, south, and northeast states are better in MHS. Pearson’s correlation coefficient shows a slight positive relation between SMW and SMS with WE; it is deplorable for BHS. The relationship between MHS and WE is relatively strong and positive, indicating that an empowered woman can control her menstrual practices more than the household WASH conditions. The study will help planners and the government implement policies in the backward areas of WE and WASH. Thus, the study will also accomplish SDG-5 (gender equality) by enhancing WE and SDG-6 (WASH) by improving availability, affordability, accessibility, and awareness of WASH facilities.</p>

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Women’s empowerment and water, sanitation, and hygiene in India: exploring the present situation and correlation using geostatistical techniques

  • Arpita Trivedy,
  • Moududa Khatun

摘要

A secure Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) environment indicates safe and healthy human life and safeguards women’s dignity and privacy. Usually, women are responsible for household WASH management along with Menstrual Hygienic Services (MHS). In this context, our study aims to distinguish the contemporary condition of Women’s Empowerment (WE) and WASH and the influence of WE on WASH, including Safely Managed Drinking Water (SMW), Safely Managed Sanitation (SMS), Basic Hygiene Services (BHS), and Menstrual Hygiene Services (MHS) in India. The study utilizes the fifth National Family Health Survey of India from the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) of 2019–2021. The study uses descriptive statistics, bivariate scatter plots, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, bivariate LISA (Local indicators of spatial autocorrelation), and Moran’s I. Results from the study reflect that the districts from south, west, north, and northeast Indian states have an improved position in WE, SMW, and BHS. Meanwhile, the districts from south, west, and southeast states are better in SMS, and the districts from north, south, and northeast states are better in MHS. Pearson’s correlation coefficient shows a slight positive relation between SMW and SMS with WE; it is deplorable for BHS. The relationship between MHS and WE is relatively strong and positive, indicating that an empowered woman can control her menstrual practices more than the household WASH conditions. The study will help planners and the government implement policies in the backward areas of WE and WASH. Thus, the study will also accomplish SDG-5 (gender equality) by enhancing WE and SDG-6 (WASH) by improving availability, affordability, accessibility, and awareness of WASH facilities.