22 Sanitation and Cleanliness for a Healthy Environment
Removing the barriers to sanitation for women
This activity helps people to talk about issues
that may prevent women from having access to
safe and healthy sanitation. The goal is to decide
what changes might be necessary to improve
health for everyone. After the activity has
been done with just women, a session can be
organized with both men and women.
Time: 1 to 1 ½ hours
Materials: flip chart or
large drawing paper,
pens, sticky tape.
➡ Step 1. Write statements about sanitation on a flipchart or large piece of paper.
Then read each statement to the group, and ask each person to decide whether
she agrees or disagrees. (Ask people to raise a hand if they agree, or to make no
motion if they do not.) For every ‘yes’ answer, make a mark next to the phrase. For
every ‘no’ answer, make no mark.
Here are some statements that might be used.
During monthly
bleeding we are
not permitted
to use toilets.
The toilet is
not safe for
children.
TItTwIltPhhtIehohdraeaiehseoonvutgaitsonmsnvontaieeoiglofualetteennstutotrtwhotsiiilsteecaswewoltnttteodasoogotami.yoiiornlltteeefotiynttinaost.br.a.awtenrfharesdesoenhmeIbnouaatmsfmepthnyeettrrhhemrueoiiusntpitsengeergd.soortnhe toilet.
➡ Step 2. Count the marks beside each statement. Choose the problems that
were mentioned most and begin a discussion about them. What is the cause of
the problem? What illnesses may result from this problem? What can be done to
improve the situation? What are the barriers to improving the situation?
➡ Step 3. End with the group deciding on some specific actions that can be
taken by both men and women to ensure that everyone’s needs are met.