WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene services)

Marginalized communities in Somalia are often confronted with multifaceted challenges in accessing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services. Women and girls face additional vulnerabilities in the context of WASH sector due to their gender-specific needs. In Somali culture, responsibilities related to water collection, sanitation and hygiene are assigned to women and girls.

This often leads to increased exposure to safety risks, as they mostly have to travel long distances to access water sources, particularly in areas where clean water is scarce. Additionally, the lack of gender-sensitive sanitation facilities compromise their dignity and safety. Menstrual hygiene management is another critical aspect, as the absence of proper facilities and awareness hinder the well-being and attendance of adolescent girls in educational settings.

Persons with disabilities often confront obstacles when trying to access facilities that are not tailored to meet their unique needs. These barriers, e.g. physical infrastructure lacking ramps, inadequate signage for those with visual impairments etc. limits their independence and participation in community initiatives exacerbating social inequalities. one significant reason why persons with disabilities often face challenges in accessing facilities is due to the lack of consultation during the design and construction phases of these facilities.

CEMCo recognizes the gender-specific vulnerabilities that women and girls face and strives to enhance access to water through implementing initiatives such as water trucking, constructing or rehabilitating shallow wells etc., in closer proximity to household areas thus reducing the distances women and girls have to travel.

Also, CEMCo focuses on creating gender-sensitive sanitation facilities to ensure their dignity and safety, placing special emphasis on menstrual hygiene management for adolescent girls. Additionally, CEMCO is committed to promoting inclusivity for persons with disabilities, working towards eliminating obstacles in accessing facilities through initiatives that involve consultation during the design and construction phases.