The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets aimed at improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are also an opportunity for the transformation of gender norms. To facilitate this transformation, this paper makes a call to action for global and national efforts for organizational, professional, and personal change. Several NGOs are leading a process towards a more reflective and transformative approach. This paper presents a number of examples – from headquarters, and others from country offices and research institutes – of the changes under way to support a stronger connection between the ‘outer faces’ of WASH professionals in the sector and the individual, personal inner spaces. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations for personal and organizational change.

A Call to Men (no date) ‘Embrace a healthy respectful manhood’ [online] <https://www.acalltomen.org/impact-healthy-manhood> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Agora (no date) ‘HeforShe: Building Gender IQ’ [online] <https://agora.unicef.org/course/info.php?id=7107> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Aronson, E., Wilson, T.D. and Akert, A.M. (2005) Social Psychology, 5th edn, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2012) Civil Society, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (CS WASH) Fund: Design Document [online] <https://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/civil-society-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash-fund-design-document.aspx> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Batliwala, S. (2011) Feminist Leadership for Social Transformation: Clearing the Conceptual Cloud [pdf], CREA <https://www.uc.edu/content/dam/uc/ucwc/docs/CREA.pdf> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Batliwala, S. (2019) ‘Srilatha Batliwala Keynote at RDI Conference 2019’ [video] <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogEu8Sp1mFk> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Boyce, P., Brown, S., Cavill, S., Chaukekar, S., Chisenga, B., Dash, M., Dasgupta, R.K., Brosse, N.D.L., Dhall, P., Fisher, J., Gutierrez-Patterson, M., Hemabati, O., Hueso, A., Khan, S. Khurai, S., Patkar, A., Nath, P., Snel, M. and Thapa, K. (2018) ‘Transgender-inclusive sanitation: insights from South Asia’, Waterlines 37(2): 102–17.

Byanyima, W. (2019) ‘We must learn and change after Haiti sexual abuse scandal – Oxfam chief’ [online], World Economic Forum <https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/06/facing-hard-truths-to-tackle-the-causes-of-sexual-abuse/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

CARE (2008) Inner Spaces Outer Faces Initiative: Toolkit: Tools for Learning and Action on Gender and Sexuality [pdf] <https://www.care.org/sites/default/files/documents/MH-2008-ISOFI-Toolkit_2008.pdf> [accessed 29 April 2020].

CARE (2017) Gender Transformative Change: Flagship Approach [pdf] <https://www.careindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/CARE_India_GTC_FLagship_Approach_Sept20171.pdf> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Cavill, S., Mott, J. and Tyndale-Biscoe, P., with Bond, M., Huggett, C. and Wamera, E. (2018) ‘Engaging men and boys in sanitation and hygiene programmes’, Frontiers of CLTS: Innovations and Insights 11, IDS, Brighton, UK.

Chambers, R. (2017) Can We Know better? Reflections for Development [online], Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, UK <https://www.developmentbookshelf.com/doi/pdf/10.3362/9781780449449> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Charity Commission for England and Wales (2020) Statement of the Results of an Inquiry: The Save the Children Fund (Save the Children UK), Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Cortina, L.M., Kabat-Farr, D., Leskinen, E.A., Huerta, M. and Magley, V.J. (2013) ‘Selective incivility as modern discrimination in organizations: evidence and impact’, Journal of Management 39(2-3): 1579–605.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) (no date) Water for Women Fund [online] <https://www.waterforwomenfund.org/en/index.aspx> [accessed 4 May 2020].

Dickin, S. and Bisung, E. (2019) Empowerment in WASH Index, SEI Discussion Brief, October 2019, Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm.

Dictionary.com (no date) ‘Gender and Sexuality Dictionary: positionality’ [online] <https://dictionary.com/e/gender-sexuality/positionality/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Edge Effect (no date) ‘Our purpose’ [online] <https://www.edgeeffect.org/our-purpose/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Essed, P. (1991) Understanding Everyday Racism: An Interdisciplinary Theory, Vol. 2, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Eyben, R. and Turquet, L. (eds.) (2013) Feminists in Development Organizations: Change from the Margins, Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, UK.

Government of Canada (2017) Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy [online] <https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/priorities-priorites/policy-politique.aspx?lang=eng> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Government Offices of Sweden (no date) ‘Feminist foreign policy’ [online] <https://www.government.se/government-policy/feminist-foreign-policy/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Grant, M., Murta, J., Willetts, J., Carrard, N. and Powell, B. (2016) Civil Society Organisations’ Learning for Impact in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programming [pdf], CS WASH Fund <https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/CSO_Learning_for_Impact_Report.pdf> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Grant M., Willetts J. and Huggett, C. (2017) Gender Equality and Goal 6 – The Critical Connection: An Australian Perspective, Australian Water Partnership, Canberra <http://waterpartnership.org.au/>.

Grant, M., Soeters, S., Bunthoeun, I. and Willetts, J. (2019a) ‘Rural piped-water enterprises in Cambodia: a pathway to women’s empowerment?’ Water 11: 2541.

Grant, M., Willetts, J. and Huggett, C. (2019b) Gender Equality and Goal 6 – The Critical Connection: An Australian Perspective [pdf], Australian Water Partnership, Canberra <https://waterpartnership.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Gender-Equality-and-Goal-6-The-Critical-Connection.pdf> [accessed 4 May 2020].

Gupta, R.G. (2001) ‘Gender, sexuality, and HIV/AIDS: the what, the why, and the how’, SIECUS Report 29(5): 6(7).

Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) UTS (2019) ‘Water for Women Research’ [online] <https://waterforwomen.uts.edu.au/news/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Longwe, S.H. (1999) Women’s Empowerment (Framework): A Guide to Gender Analysis Frameworks, Oxfam GB, Oxford.

Male Champions of Change (no date) Home page [online] <https://malechampionsofchange.com/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Mertens, D.M. (2009) Transformative Research and Evaluation, Guilford Press, New York.

Moser, C. (1989) ‘Gender planning in the third world: meeting practical and strategic gender needs’, World Development 17: 1799–825.

Nath, P., Hueso, A. and Downie, E. (2017) ‘Toilets for everyone – moving to gender neutral bathrooms in our London office’, 16 November 2017 [online] <https://washmatters.wateraid.org/blog/toilets-for-everyone-moving-to-gender-neutral-bathrooms-in-our-london-office> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Office of Diversity and Outreach, University of California (no date) ‘Unconscious bias’ [online] <https://diversity.ucsf.edu/resources/unconscious-bias> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Plan International (2018) ‘Gender and WASH Monitoring Tool (GWMT)’ and ‘GWMT Training Guide (2018 version)’ [online] <https://www.plan.org.au/learn/how-we-work/resources> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Quakers (no date) Toolkit for Action: Owning Power and Privilege [online] <https://quaker-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/store/6d94d334d4cdd158fbc8e21906be4cccb83bdf74cb2fbdaf97c523a98f45> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Quillian, L. (2006) ‘New approaches to understanding racial prejudice and discrimination’, Annual Review of Sociology 32: 299–328.

RedR (2016) Report: Inclusion and Security of LGBTI Aid Workers [pdf] <https://www.redr.org.uk/RedR/media/RedR/Training%20and%20Learning/Resources/LGBTI%20Inclusion/RedR-and-EISF-2016-REPORT-INCLUSION-AND-SECURITY-OF-LGBTI-AID-WORKERS-WORKSHOP-22-01-2016.pdf> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Research for Development Impact (RDI) Network (2017) Principles and Guidelines for Ethical Research and Evaluation [online], Australian Council for International Development <https://rdinetwork.org.au/effective-ethical-research-evaluation/principles-guidelines-ethical-research-evaluation/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Re:work (no date) ‘Unbiasing’ [online] <https://rework.withgoogle.com/subjects/unbiasing/> [accessed 4 May 2020].

Rowe, M.P. (1990) ‘Barriers to equality: the power of subtle discrimination to maintain unequal opportunity’, Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal 3(2): 153–63.

Smith, L. (no date) ‘#ABLEISM’ [blog], Centre for Disability Rights <http://cdrnys.org/blog/uncategorized/ableism/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Soeters, S., Grant, M., Carrard, N. and Willetts, J. (2019) Intersectionality: Ask the Other Question [pdf], Water for Women: Gender in WASH - Conversational article 2, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney <https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/wordpress.multisite.prod.uploads/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2019/03/05175814/ISF-UTS_2019_IntersectionalityArticle2_GenderinWASH_WaterforWomen.pdf> [accessed 30 April 2020].

Sue, D.W., Capodilupo, C.M., Torino, G.C., Bucceri, J.M., Holder, A., Nadal, K.L. and Esquilin, M. (2007) ‘Racial microaggressions in everyday life: implications for clinical practice’, American Psychologist 62(4): 271–86.

Tutor2U (no date) ‘Psychology: types of conformity’ [online] <https://www.tutor2u.net/psychology/reference/types-of-conformity> [accessed 30 April 2020].

University of Leeds (no date) ‘Nakuru Accord: Failing better in the WASH sector’ [blog] <https://wash.leeds.ac.uk/failing-better-in-the-wash-sector/> [accessed 30 April 2020].

Van Wijk-Sijbesma, C. (1987) ‘Drinking-water and sanitation: women can do much’, World Health Forum 8(1): 28–33.

Water for Women Fund et al (2020) ‘Stepping Up: ensuring sexual and gender minorities are not left behind’, Learning brief – Systems Strengthening/Leave No One Behind. <https://www.edgeeffect.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/EdgeEffect_Stepping-Up_Full-Report.pdf>

A Call to Men (no date) ‘Embrace a healthy respectful manhood’ [online] <https://www.acalltomen.org/impact-healthy-manhood> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Agora (no date) ‘HeforShe: Building Gender IQ’ [online] <https://agora.unicef.org/course/info.php?id=7107> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Aronson, E., Wilson, T.D. and Akert, A.M. (2005) Social Psychology, 5th edn, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2012) Civil Society, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (CS WASH) Fund: Design Document [online] <https://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/civil-society-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash-fund-design-document.aspx> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Batliwala, S. (2011) Feminist Leadership for Social Transformation: Clearing the Conceptual Cloud [pdf], CREA <https://www.uc.edu/content/dam/uc/ucwc/docs/CREA.pdf> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Batliwala, S. (2019) ‘Srilatha Batliwala Keynote at RDI Conference 2019’ [video] <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogEu8Sp1mFk> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Boyce, P., Brown, S., Cavill, S., Chaukekar, S., Chisenga, B., Dash, M., Dasgupta, R.K., Brosse, N.D.L., Dhall, P., Fisher, J., Gutierrez-Patterson, M., Hemabati, O., Hueso, A., Khan, S. Khurai, S., Patkar, A., Nath, P., Snel, M. and Thapa, K. (2018) ‘Transgender-inclusive sanitation: insights from South Asia’, Waterlines 37(2): 102–17.

Byanyima, W. (2019) ‘We must learn and change after Haiti sexual abuse scandal – Oxfam chief’ [online], World Economic Forum <https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/06/facing-hard-truths-to-tackle-the-causes-of-sexual-abuse/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

CARE (2008) Inner Spaces Outer Faces Initiative: Toolkit: Tools for Learning and Action on Gender and Sexuality [pdf] <https://www.care.org/sites/default/files/documents/MH-2008-ISOFI-Toolkit_2008.pdf> [accessed 29 April 2020].

CARE (2017) Gender Transformative Change: Flagship Approach [pdf] <https://www.careindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/CARE_India_GTC_FLagship_Approach_Sept20171.pdf> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Cavill, S., Mott, J. and Tyndale-Biscoe, P., with Bond, M., Huggett, C. and Wamera, E. (2018) ‘Engaging men and boys in sanitation and hygiene programmes’, Frontiers of CLTS: Innovations and Insights 11, IDS, Brighton, UK.

Chambers, R. (2017) Can We Know better? Reflections for Development [online], Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, UK <https://www.developmentbookshelf.com/doi/pdf/10.3362/9781780449449> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Charity Commission for England and Wales (2020) Statement of the Results of an Inquiry: The Save the Children Fund (Save the Children UK), Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Cortina, L.M., Kabat-Farr, D., Leskinen, E.A., Huerta, M. and Magley, V.J. (2013) ‘Selective incivility as modern discrimination in organizations: evidence and impact’, Journal of Management 39(2-3): 1579–605.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) (no date) Water for Women Fund [online] <https://www.waterforwomenfund.org/en/index.aspx> [accessed 4 May 2020].

Dickin, S. and Bisung, E. (2019) Empowerment in WASH Index, SEI Discussion Brief, October 2019, Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm.

Dictionary.com (no date) ‘Gender and Sexuality Dictionary: positionality’ [online] <https://dictionary.com/e/gender-sexuality/positionality/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Edge Effect (no date) ‘Our purpose’ [online] <https://www.edgeeffect.org/our-purpose/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Essed, P. (1991) Understanding Everyday Racism: An Interdisciplinary Theory, Vol. 2, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Eyben, R. and Turquet, L. (eds.) (2013) Feminists in Development Organizations: Change from the Margins, Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, UK.

Government of Canada (2017) Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy [online] <https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/priorities-priorites/policy-politique.aspx?lang=eng> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Government Offices of Sweden (no date) ‘Feminist foreign policy’ [online] <https://www.government.se/government-policy/feminist-foreign-policy/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Grant, M., Murta, J., Willetts, J., Carrard, N. and Powell, B. (2016) Civil Society Organisations’ Learning for Impact in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programming [pdf], CS WASH Fund <https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/CSO_Learning_for_Impact_Report.pdf> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Grant M., Willetts J. and Huggett, C. (2017) Gender Equality and Goal 6 – The Critical Connection: An Australian Perspective, Australian Water Partnership, Canberra <http://waterpartnership.org.au/>.

Grant, M., Soeters, S., Bunthoeun, I. and Willetts, J. (2019a) ‘Rural piped-water enterprises in Cambodia: a pathway to women’s empowerment?’ Water 11: 2541.

Grant, M., Willetts, J. and Huggett, C. (2019b) Gender Equality and Goal 6 – The Critical Connection: An Australian Perspective [pdf], Australian Water Partnership, Canberra <https://waterpartnership.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Gender-Equality-and-Goal-6-The-Critical-Connection.pdf> [accessed 4 May 2020].

Gupta, R.G. (2001) ‘Gender, sexuality, and HIV/AIDS: the what, the why, and the how’, SIECUS Report 29(5): 6(7).

Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) UTS (2019) ‘Water for Women Research’ [online] <https://waterforwomen.uts.edu.au/news/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Longwe, S.H. (1999) Women’s Empowerment (Framework): A Guide to Gender Analysis Frameworks, Oxfam GB, Oxford.

Male Champions of Change (no date) Home page [online] <https://malechampionsofchange.com/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Mertens, D.M. (2009) Transformative Research and Evaluation, Guilford Press, New York.

Moser, C. (1989) ‘Gender planning in the third world: meeting practical and strategic gender needs’, World Development 17: 1799–825.

Nath, P., Hueso, A. and Downie, E. (2017) ‘Toilets for everyone – moving to gender neutral bathrooms in our London office’, 16 November 2017 [online] <https://washmatters.wateraid.org/blog/toilets-for-everyone-moving-to-gender-neutral-bathrooms-in-our-london-office> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Office of Diversity and Outreach, University of California (no date) ‘Unconscious bias’ [online] <https://diversity.ucsf.edu/resources/unconscious-bias> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Plan International (2018) ‘Gender and WASH Monitoring Tool (GWMT)’ and ‘GWMT Training Guide (2018 version)’ [online] <https://www.plan.org.au/learn/how-we-work/resources> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Quakers (no date) Toolkit for Action: Owning Power and Privilege [online] <https://quaker-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/store/6d94d334d4cdd158fbc8e21906be4cccb83bdf74cb2fbdaf97c523a98f45> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Quillian, L. (2006) ‘New approaches to understanding racial prejudice and discrimination’, Annual Review of Sociology 32: 299–328.

RedR (2016) Report: Inclusion and Security of LGBTI Aid Workers [pdf] <https://www.redr.org.uk/RedR/media/RedR/Training%20and%20Learning/Resources/LGBTI%20Inclusion/RedR-and-EISF-2016-REPORT-INCLUSION-AND-SECURITY-OF-LGBTI-AID-WORKERS-WORKSHOP-22-01-2016.pdf> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Research for Development Impact (RDI) Network (2017) Principles and Guidelines for Ethical Research and Evaluation [online], Australian Council for International Development <https://rdinetwork.org.au/effective-ethical-research-evaluation/principles-guidelines-ethical-research-evaluation/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Re:work (no date) ‘Unbiasing’ [online] <https://rework.withgoogle.com/subjects/unbiasing/> [accessed 4 May 2020].

Rowe, M.P. (1990) ‘Barriers to equality: the power of subtle discrimination to maintain unequal opportunity’, Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal 3(2): 153–63.

Smith, L. (no date) ‘#ABLEISM’ [blog], Centre for Disability Rights <http://cdrnys.org/blog/uncategorized/ableism/> [accessed 29 April 2020].

Soeters, S., Grant, M., Carrard, N. and Willetts, J. (2019) Intersectionality: Ask the Other Question [pdf], Water for Women: Gender in WASH - Conversational article 2, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney <https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/wordpress.multisite.prod.uploads/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2019/03/05175814/ISF-UTS_2019_IntersectionalityArticle2_GenderinWASH_WaterforWomen.pdf> [accessed 30 April 2020].

Sue, D.W., Capodilupo, C.M., Torino, G.C., Bucceri, J.M., Holder, A., Nadal, K.L. and Esquilin, M. (2007) ‘Racial microaggressions in everyday life: implications for clinical practice’, American Psychologist 62(4): 271–86.

Tutor2U (no date) ‘Psychology: types of conformity’ [online] <https://www.tutor2u.net/psychology/reference/types-of-conformity> [accessed 30 April 2020].

University of Leeds (no date) ‘Nakuru Accord: Failing better in the WASH sector’ [blog] <https://wash.leeds.ac.uk/failing-better-in-the-wash-sector/> [accessed 30 April 2020].

Van Wijk-Sijbesma, C. (1987) ‘Drinking-water and sanitation: women can do much’, World Health Forum 8(1): 28–33.

Water for Women Fund et al (2020) ‘Stepping Up: ensuring sexual and gender minorities are not left behind’, Learning brief – Systems Strengthening/Leave No One Behind. <https://www.edgeeffect.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/EdgeEffect_Stepping-Up_Full-Report.pdf>

Leadership for SDG 6.2: Is Diversity Missing?

Worsham, Kimberly

Sylvester, Ruth

Hales, Georgia

McWilliams, Kelsey

Luseka, Euphresia

Environmental Health Insights, Vol. 15 (2021), Iss. P.117863022110318

https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302211031846 [Citations: 3]