ABSTRACT
Universal and equitable access to WASH as envisioned in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 is fundamental for empowering women and girls in many contexts. However, WASH responsibilities’ gendered nature has resulted in the oversimplification of women and men’s labor contributions to WASH services. Drawing on feminist political ecology theory, this study critically explores changing perceptions of men’s role in improving WASH services at the household level in Ghana. The study employed a qualitative approach that involved 15 key informant interviews and ten focus groups in Asutifi North District, Ghana. Poverty, distribution of unpaid labor, and gender-based power dynamics at the household and community levels influence how people perceive WASH responsibilities. The findings suggest that SDG 5 and SDG 6 are inextricably linked. Their synergistic effects on women and girls’ overall health and well-being require greater attention from researchers and WASH practitioners.
