WASH and Women's Empowerment in Haiti

ABSTRACT As the 2030 deadline for the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) approaches, many countries remain far from meeting their goals. The UN encourages integrated strategies that leverage synergies between goals to accelerate progress. We examine linkages between SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) in Haiti, where progress on both has been very limited. We explore associations between improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions and women's empowerment. Based on our findings, a gender‐sensitive strategy would involve expanding access to private piped water in urban areas, public piped water in rural areas, and rainwater collection systems in both, as well as increasing the adoption of pit latrines with slabs. As part of an integrated water system management (IWSM) plan utilizing sustainable technologies, these improvements in WASH can increase women's access to resources, improve their agency, and improve relations in households; supporting both SDGs.