Report from a seminar organized by Sida and WaterAid on World Toilet Day 2014 at Sida HQ in Stockholm, Sweden. The purpose of this seminar was to raise awareness about the taboos and difficulties surrounding sanitation specifically as it relates to health and girls’ and women’s menstrual hygiene. The meeting was also a starting point to stimulate dialogue within Sida and among external actors about the relevance of sanitation and hygiene for women’s and children’s health and gender equity, and how Sida and Swedish actors can contribute to breaking oppressive taboos and improve access to adequate sanitation. 

Presenters included Archana Patkar (WSSCC) who is a passionate and eloquent champion for gender equality and women’s demands in sanitation linked to their menstruation or menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and Professor Robert Chambers (CLTS Knowledge Hub at IDS), a tireless, fearless (and ageless!) campaigner for “putting the last first” in decision-making processes on water and sanitation interventions and Jenny Fredby (WaterAid Sweden), an expert in sanitation and hygiene for children’s and women’s health.

Download the report