Mainstreaming Gender Approaches for Equality: NRD’s Water and Sanitation Project in Bangladesh

Abstract

North-Bengal Research Foundation & Development (NRD) aims at eliminating poverty through different projects in Bangladesh. To help realize the MDGs and SDGs, NRD is implementing ‘Water and Sanitation (WS)’ project in northern-western part of the Bangladesh since 2012. The project aims to improve the health of poor and enhance equitable development through provision of sustainable and integrated WS services; inducing hygienic behaviors to break the contamination cycle of unsanitary latrines and contaminated water; and ensuring sustainability and scaling-up. The objective of this paper is to describe which areas were adapted for mainstreaming gender approaches and ensuring equity of services. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources, validity cross-checked through triangulation. Findings show that gender mainstreaming as a cross-cutting strategy helps women and other disadvantaged groups, notably poor and ultra-poor households, to become aware of, and increase their access to services and decision-making processes for equal benefits. Different initiatives adopted by NRD towards equitable access to and control over WS services which ultimately reducing the gender gap and promoting sustainable development. However, the poor, ultra-poor, disabled persons and hard-to-reach areas are still underserved. The affordability and involvement in decision making of vulnerable groups are still challenge that lessons could be useful for others who also working in the sector.