Oral histories on water, sanitation, and hygiene across women’s lifecourse and wellbeing implications in Ghana

Despite notable global progress in tackling water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), substantial challenges persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While WASH in LMICs is a quintessentially gendered issue, with the burden falling primarily on women, their meaningful participation in WASH management is often questioned. And yet women have important stories to tell. This paper examines the experiences of WASH through the oral histories of older women (n = 32 respondents aged 60+) in three districts in northern Ghana. We situate this work within an eco-social framework that allows us to contextualize resource access related to the determinants of health. Findings reveal substantial perceived improvements in WASH access over the years. This progress was primarily attributed to education and training on appropriate WASH practices. Results also underscore the crucial role of stakeholders, including NGOs, local governments, WASH committees, women's support groups, and individual initiatives, in the advancement of local WASH services. However, the absence of adequate WASH services continues to exacerbate vulnerability to gender-based violence (GBV). Results indicate the need for collaboration and cooperation in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 (water and sanitation for all), and most importantly, galvanize our thinking around the role of women in this process, by addressing SDG 5 (empowering women and girls) and SDG 3 (health and wellbeing for all).