Challenges and Strategies for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: A Case Study of Pandua, West Bengal, India

Introduction: The aim of WASH program is to centralize the development plan, with a specific sector target (SDG 6) aiming for universal, sustainable, and equitable access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene by 2030, as well as the elimination of open defecation. Methodology: A descriptive and cross-sectional research of women in the designated districts was carried out. The sampling technique was utilized to choose 90 Santali women from the population, and data on WASH-related difficulties is being collected. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0, which included descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The community is plagued by determinants of considerable barriers to accessing water, sanitation, and hygiene. Gender differences, unfair societal standards, cultural taboos, poverty, and a lack of necessities all pose difficulties. The lack of toilets, water, and waste disposal facilities in their homes complicates matters. Furthermore, women avoid using public washrooms since they are in poor condition and frequently lack running water; as a result, they are only used in extreme circumstances. Conclusion: The research looks into the factors that influence women’s roles as home water collectors and focuses on how different socioeconomic layers in society results in the difference in WASH program among them.