RECEPTIVE MEASURES OF WOMEN’S ACCESS TO WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH), IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The paper seeks to generate awareness about receptive measures for women’s access to water, hygiene, and sanitation in Rivers State. The study was anchored on three objectives, three research questions, and two hypotheses. Methodologically, a sample size of 400 was statistically generated through the Taro Yameni Formula. Also, a triangulation approach was adopted that utilised qualitative and quantitative methods. The questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used as instruments for data collection. The Four Likert Scale was used, and the structured questionnaire was titled Receptive Measures for Women: Access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Questionnaire (RMWAWSHQ). Statistical tools such as the charts, mean, and standard deviation, as well as the Z-test, were used to analyse the quantitative data. Again, the qualitative instrument was analysed using content analysis. The study found that the majority of women in Rivers State often have differentiated access to water, sanitation, and hygiene. Also, it was concluded that until more women’s voices and participation in policy initiation and implementation are addressed, gender and women's issues on the condition of water accessibility, sanitation, and hygiene become delusions. In all, it was recommended, among others, that more women be included in governance and decision-making, as this would enable them to fully participate in policies and programmes that can provide more water accessibility, good sanitation, and hygiene