Sensitivity of Water and Hygiene among Women in Slum Communities of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Access to safe and adequate water, sanitation and hygine (WASH) is a fundamental human right, critical to health and well-being. Despite Sri Lanka’s abundant water resources, marginalized urban slum communities in Colombo continue to experience severe deficiencies in WASH services, disproportionately affecting women due to gendered social roles and intersecting vulnerabilities. This study investigates the challenges faced by women in 18 slums across the six Colombo wards, examining their access to water and sanitation facilities, health implications and coping strategies. This desk review was undertaken by using a comprehensive review of secondary data, policy documents and scholarly literature, the analysis applies the Human Rights Framework, Feminist Political Ecology and Intersectionality theory to understand the systemic and socio-cultural factors shaping WASH inequities. Findings reveal that inadequate infrastructure, fragmented governance, socio-legal marginalization and patriarchal norms compound women’s struggles, leading to compromised health, dignity and agency. The study highlights women’s resilience through community initiatives but underscores the urgent need for gender-responsive, inclusive policies that guarantee WASH rights and integrate women’s voices in urban planning. The paper concludes with policy recommendations aimed at securing legal tenure, expanding infrastructure, institutionalizing women’s participation and mainstreaming the menstrual hygiene management in national sanitation strategies. This research contributes to the discourse on urban environmental justice and gender equity in developing countries, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing WASH disparities in the rapidly urbanizing contexts.