International Journal of Gender & Women's Studies

Gender Differences and Deficiencies of Water and Sanitation Facilities Provisioning and Management in East African Universities
Kebirungi Harriet, Livingstone S. Luboobi , Kabonesa Consolata, Kimwaga Richard Joseph, Majaliwa Jackson-Gilbert Mwanjalolo, Laituri Melinda

Abstract
During the past two decades, East African Universities (EAUs) have experienced ten-fold growth in student enrollments, which has mounted pressure on the aged water and sanitation facilities. This study examined the gender responsiveness in the provisioning and management of water and sanitation facilities at Makerere University (MAK), Uganda and University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Tanzania. The study focused on the status, access, utilization, and students‟ perceptions of provisioning and management of water and sanitation facilities. A cross sectional gender focused research design was adopted. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for data collection. For determination of the status of water and sanitation facilities at both universities, geospatial analysis was performed in ArcGIS 10.1 using geo-referenced toilet and water facility information. The current levels of access to and utilization of water and sanitation facilities at MAK and UDSM are deficient and create gender differences. Female students and those with special needs are the most affected. This status may have serious implications on students‟ health, socio-economic wellbeing and academic performance. There is need to develop and implement a gender responsive framework and create gender awareness on appropriate use and stakeholders‟ rights to water and sanitation facilities in EAUs.

Full Text: PDF      DOI: 10.15640/ijgws.v5n2a9