Transparency, governance, and water and sanitation : Experimental evidence from schools in rural Bangladesh

Can transparency interventions improve WASH service provision? We use a randomized experiment to evaluate the impacts of a transparency intervention, a deliberative multi-stakeholder workshop initiated with a community scorecard exercise, in schools in rural Bangladesh. To measure impacts, we combine survey data, direct observations, and administrative data. The intervention leads to moderate but consistent improvements in knowledge of WASH standards and practices, and institutions for WASH service management, but does not improve school WASH service provision or change WASH facility use patterns. Drawing on rich descriptive data, we suggest several reasons why the intervention we evaluate did not improve WASH service outcomes and propose ways to improve the design of future interventions

When vulnerabilities are exploited—The role of sextortion in the WASH sector in Bangladesh

It has long been acknowledged that many aspects of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) are highly gendered and that women face an increased risk of violence when access to WASH services is not adequate. However, not enough studies explore where these incidents of violence occur or document the different forms of violence. This research paper will add to the newly emerging research on sextortion as a form of violence that women and girls encounter disproportionately in accessing WASH. This form of violence that takes place at the intersection of corruption and sexual violence has dire social, economic and health consequences, yet little is known as of what increases vulnerability to sextortion. Analyzing original data from a standardized survey with adult women (n = 1,200), interviews (n = 21) and focus group discussions (n = 5), this paper examines the factors that make women vulnerable to sextortion in accessing WASH services. The study was conducted in 2 rural and 2 urban areas in Bangladesh between September and December 2021. The analysis shows that those women living in poverty, in water insecure households and in rural areas are especially vulnerable to experiencing sextortion. The research also shows that the vulnerability factors, while overlapping are not the same as those making women vulnerable to experiencing sexual and gender-based violence, highlighting the importance of studying sextortion separately. The findings contribute to an emerging evidence-base around sextortion, which remains an understudied phenomenon posing an obstacle to the achievement of safe access to water and sanitation for all

The integrity management toolbox in action: a study of 22 urban water service cases

Water integrity refers to the ethical, professional, and transparent use of power and resources to ensure the sustainable and equitable provision of water services. The Integrity Management (IM) Toolbox is a tool that has been adopted to initiate IM reforms within water utilities. This paper reviews the application of the IM Toolbox application in 22 urban utilities across 7 countries from 2013 to 2018, focusing on integrity risks, selected tools, and the success and challenges faced by these utilities. Common integrity risks were identified in Operations and Consumer Relations, and corresponding tools were employed in Human Resources and Consumer Relations. Within 1 year, over two-thirds of the utilities implemented 70% or more of their action plans, indicating positive progress. However, obstacles such as staff rotation and reliance on internal champions provide obstacles to continued implementation. Despite challenges, certain utilities demonstrated notable medium-term improvements. To further advance water integrity, integrating the IM Toolbox with other utility-level efficiency processes is recommended. Additionally, supporting sectoral regulatory measures can contribute to overall integrity enhancement. By effectively addressing integrity risks and adopting comprehensive approaches, water utilities can enhance their ability to provide safe and sustainable water services, while promoting transparency and equity. HIGHLIGHTS Scope: The paper reviews integrity management methodology in 22 utilities across Albania, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Kenya, and Laos.; Identified risks: Operations and Consumer Relations have the most integrity risks.; Mitigation strategies: Human Resources and Consumer Relations instruments used.; Obstacles: Staff rotation & internal champions' dependency hinders methodology implementation.