WaterAid Urges WASH Investments to Combat Violence, Protect Public Health

The campaign coincides with the UN Women-led 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 to December 10 annually.

Phiri: in most communities women and girls bear the burden of fetching water

LILONGWE, Malawi— WaterAid Malawi has called for increased investments in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services as a critical strategy to reduce gender-based violence and improve public health, the organization's country director said Tuesday, writes Ireen Kayira.

Peter Phiri highlighted the interconnection between WASH infrastructure and women's safety, noting that women and girls in many Malawian communities face significant risks while performing basic water-fetching duties.

"Women and girls often travel long distances to water sources in remote, insecure areas, exposing them to heightened risks of harassment and assault," Phiri said in a statement marking the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The organization emphasised that inadequate sanitation facilities in public spaces such as schools and healthcare centres compound these vulnerabilities.

Without safe, private toilets, women and girls are forced to manage menstruation in unsafe conditions, leading to health and social challenges.

Phiri pointed out that WASH conditions directly impact critical health outcomes. In healthcare facilities, the absence of clean water and proper sanitation during childbirth increases infection risks for mothers and newborns.

Children under five remain particularly vulnerable to diarrheal diseases, a leading cause of child mortality in Malawi.

WaterAid advocated for comprehensive solutions, including bringing water sources closer to communities and designing gender-sensitive facilities with features like proper lighting and secure, separate spaces for men and women.

The organisation urged the Malawian government to prioritise WASH sector funding in alignment with national development goals.

It also called on the private sector, development partners, and civil society to support WASH initiatives.

Recognising access to clean water and sanitation as a fundamental human right, WaterAid's recommendations aim to address systemic challenges that compromise women's safety and community health.

The campaign coincides with the UN Women-led 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 to December 10 annually.

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