Sanitation Scandal: Tackling Open Defecation Crisis Among Women in Harper City, Liberia

Women in Harper City, Liberia, face severe public health challenges due to open defecation, driven by institutional failures and socioeconomic barriers, emphasizing an urgent need for improved sanitation facilities and policies. The lack of private toilets, financial constraints, and limited awareness of health implications lead to significant health, security, and dignity issues for women.

In Harper City, Liberia, the issue of open defecation (OD) among women presents a severe public health challenge, as highlighted by researchers from the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the Department of Languages and Literature at William V.S. Tubman University. Despite global efforts to end OD, anchored in Sustainable Development Goal 6, Harper City struggles with a lack of basic sanitation facilities. Women in Harper face unique and harsh realities when it comes to defecating in the open, driven by institutional failures and socioeconomic barriers.

Institutional Failures and Socioeconomic Barriers

The study, utilizing the FOAM analytical framework, delves into the intricacies, drivers, and implications of OD practices among women in Harper City. Researchers gathered data through desk reviews, face-to-face interviews with 30 women, seven key informants, and observations, uncovering that the beach is the primary site for OD. The government's failure to provide adequate public sanitation facilities, coupled with widespread poverty, compels women to resort to OD, exposing them to numerous risks, including insecurity, psychological trauma, and loss of privacy and dignity.

The Lack of Private Toilets and Financial Constraints

Interviewees highlighted the lack of private toilet facilities within housing units as a critical factor driving OD. For instance, one respondent noted that without toilets in their homes, they have no choice but to defecate outside. The situation is exacerbated by landlords' deliberate refusal to construct latrines, banking on residents' outdoor defecation practices. Institutional lapses extend to the non-enforcement of building regulations requiring toilets in residential homes. This negligence, combined with financial constraints, leaves many without the means to construct private sanitation facilities. Public toilets, where available, are in deplorable conditions, further pushing residents towards OD.

The socioeconomic dimension of the problem is stark, with many women lacking jobs and the financial capability to build toilets. This economic hardship relegates sanitation to a lower priority compared to feeding themselves. The prevalence of OD is not significantly influenced by cultural beliefs, as often suggested, but rather by the practical realities of financial poverty and the absence of necessary sanitation infrastructure. Health implications of OD are profound, with frequent reports of infections, abdominal pains, and diseases like cholera and diarrhea. Water sources are heavily contaminated, leading to widespread health issues. The study also found that women, particularly, suffer from reproductive health problems linked to poor sanitation practices, including gynaecological and urinary tract infections.

Health and Psychological Impacts on Women

The psychological and social impacts on women are severe. They face constant threats to their security and dignity, often forced to share OD spaces with men, leading to discomfort and exposure to potential violence. This daily ordeal inflicts psychological trauma, reinforcing the urgent need for improved sanitation facilities. The findings underscore the need for policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize women’s sanitation in emerging cities. The study’s recommendations emphasize that the government of Liberia should scale up the construction of public sanitation facilities, subsidize the cost of building materials for private toilets, and promote behavioral change through public health and sanitation education as measures to end OD in the country.

The study also reveals a lack of awareness among residents regarding the health implications of OD. Some interviewees attributed their health issues, such as infections and abdominal pains, to OD practices, while others seemed unaware of the connection. The County Health Officer confirmed that water samples tested in Harper City showed high levels of faecal coliform contamination, linking OD to the spread of diseases like diarrhoea and cholera. The study observed private toilet facilities sited directly over the Hoffman River, where faeces are discharged into the water, indicating limited knowledge about the health consequences of such practices.

Urgent Need for Policy Interventions

In light of these findings, there is a critical need for community sensitization on the health risks associated with OD and the importance of proper sanitation. Women’s health and dignity are severely compromised by OD practices, with many facing sexual harassment and assault, especially in poorly lit areas or during nighttime. The psychological burden and the threat to personal safety highlight the urgency of addressing this issue.

Overall, the research contributes to the broader literature on the provision of improved sanitation for all, as reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals. Enhancing women’s access to good sanitation is vital for achieving gender equality, improving health outcomes, and making cities in the Global South safe, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The study’s findings and recommendations aim to inform policymakers and drive effective interventions to end OD, thereby improving the quality of life for women in Harper City and beyond.