Is Gender Based Violence Related to Sanitation? A Case Study of Patongo Town Council, Uganda

Gender-based violence is a global problem that affects women of all races, colours and creeds. The Sustainable Development Goals also emphasise the need to pay special attention to women and girls regarding hygiene and sanitation. While lack of sanitation is not the main cause of gender-based violence, it is a significant contributor to its occurrence. Several studies have been published in the literature on violence against women in different parts of the world. Still, this study focused on Patongo Municipality, Agago District, Northern Uganda, where few studies have been conducted. This study investigated whether gender-based violence was linked to sanitation. The study focused on sanitation practices and gender-based decision-making. It also examined gender-based violence related to sanitation, including concerns, worries and fears, and economic violence. In general, the study looked at how sanitation practices may be linked to gender-based violence. Sanitation practice is gendered and mainly revolved around excreta, pregnancy and menstrual hygiene. These practices are the result of education, culture and economic status in the household. Therefore, these sanitation practices are shaped by different norms and roles among women and men. Men and women expressed stress related to sanitation, with women expressing it more. This stress results from the location of the latrine, its accessories and the taboos around menstruation and pregnancy. This study further explores the issue of safety, privacy, protection and shame concerning sanitation practices. Roles and responsibilities are gendered. For example, men decide on the location and financing of the latrine, while women are responsible for the daily maintenance of the latrine. Due to their education and socioeconomic status, women sometimes decide on the latrine's location.The community had different perceptions of gender-based violence. For them, gender-based violence referred only to sexual and physical violence. However, the study found various forms of gender-based violence in the community, including Sexual, physical, emotional and economic violence. Although these forms existed in the community, the study concluded that gender-based violence was not related to sanitation.