Engagement objective

Gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) in WASH in health-care facilities is one of World Health Organization’s (WHO) top priorities within the domain of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

StratComm was engaged by WHO to develop a GEDSI toolkit for WASH in health-care facilities for the South East Asia region.

Our process

At the time of initiating the engagement our enquiries revealed that no guidelines existed on how to integrate GEDSI considerations into efforts to strengthen health-care facilities. At the same time, the need for GEDSI in WASH in health-care facilities could not be overemphasised. There was clear evidence that clean drinking water, safe sanitation facilities, and hand hygiene are closely linked with health. Without improved and inclusive WASH in health-care facilities, diseases such as COVID-19 can quickly spread through contact and contaminated surfaces.

Based on our research and consultations with the WHO team, the toolkit was developed using the WHO Eight Practical Steps as its foundation. It provided countries with measures on integrating GEDSI in their efforts to strengthen the health-care infrastructure and presented persuasive evidence for the need to invest in GEDSI in WASH in health-care facilities.

Key outcomes

This toolkit is supporting South East Asia Region countries in integrating GEDSI considerations while planning and implementing WASH at the health-care facility level.

You can access the toolkit here: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/373608

See the launch video here: