A Detailed Explanation of Inclusive Sanitation and the Power of Community Ownership
Inclusive sanitation is not just about building toilets and handwashing stations—it is about creating facilities that everyone can access, use safely, and maintain with dignity. But while infrastructure is vital, the true test of success lies in community ownership. Without it, facilities often fall into disrepair; with it, they flourish and sustain long after external actors leave.
This article explores how communities move from being passive recipients of infrastructure to active custodians of inclusive sanitation facilities, ensuring sustainability and long-term impact.
Also read:The Crucial Role of Community Engagement in Water and Sanitation Projects
Why Community Ownership Matters in Inclusive Sanitation
The Pitfalls of Top-Down Approaches
Across Africa, many sanitation projects fail within a few years—not because of poor design, but because communities were never truly involved. Facilities built without local ownership often face neglect, vandalism, or abandonment.
Shifting the Power Back to Communities
Community ownership in inclusive sanitation means people see facilities as theirs, not as donor projects. This ownership fosters responsibility, pride, and accountability, turning sanitation facilities into lasting pillars of dignity.
What Makes Sanitation Inclusive?
Accessibility and Universal Design
Inclusive sanitation facilities are designed for all people—children, the elderly, women, and people with disabilities. They often include:
- Ramps and wide doors for wheelchair users
- Grab bars for the elderly
- Child-friendly toilet heights
- Gender-sensitive layouts with privacy for women and girls
- Menstrual hygiene management stations
Social Inclusion Beyond Infrastructure
Inclusivity also means governance. Committees must include women, youth, and people with disabilities, ensuring decision-making represents the entire community.
The Link Between Ownership and Sustainability
From Infrastructure to Institution
When facilities are handed over to communities, they become more than structures—they become institutions. Committees organize cleaning schedules, manage finances, and resolve conflicts, embedding sanitation into community life.
Financial Sustainability Through Local Models
Community-owned inclusive sanitation facilities often adopt revenue models:
- Small usage fees for upkeep
- Partnerships with schools or local businesses
- Income-generating services like showers or laundry points
This financial ecosystem ensures maintenance without reliance on external funding.
Emotional and Social Benefits of Community Ownership
Restoring Dignity Through Participation
When marginalized groups are included in the design and management of sanitation, they feel valued. This boosts self-esteem and social confidence.
Building Trust and Unity
Shared responsibility for sanitation strengthens bonds. People feel more connected when they are working together for a common good.
Encouraging Behavioral Change
Ownership drives use. Facilities are better maintained, and communities adopt healthier hygiene practices when they are invested in the outcome.
Case Study: BogoBogo’s Journey from Blueprint to Sustainability
Designing with the Community, Not for the Community
In BogoBogo, Maji na Ufanisi began with listening sessions. Residents, including women and people with disabilities, co-created the blueprint for an inclusive sanitation facility that met their needs.
Community-Led Management
Once constructed, management was transferred to a local committee. They:
- Set affordable user fees
- Employed cleaners from within the community
- Created a maintenance fund for repairs
Results That Last
Today, the facility is still fully functional. School attendance among girls has risen, people with disabilities report independence, and the community feels proud of its role in sustaining inclusive sanitation.
Challenges in Building Community Ownership
Cultural Barriers
Some communities are hesitant to discuss sanitation openly. Overcoming stigma requires sensitive engagement and trust-building.
Leadership Conflicts
Without transparent processes, facility management can become politicized. Inclusive governance structures prevent misuse and conflict.
Financial Strains
In poorer communities, even small fees may be burdensome. Hybrid models involving subsidies, partnerships, and innovation can bridge this gap.
Opportunities for Scaling Community Ownership
Replicating Successful Models
The BogoBogo model proves that community ownership of inclusive sanitation works. Scaling such models across Kenya could create a movement of dignity-driven sanitation solutions.
Policy Integration
Governments can adopt community ownership as a policy requirement for all sanitation projects, ensuring facilities do not fall into disuse.
Partnerships with Donors and NGOs
By supporting organizations like Maji na Ufanisi, donors can amplify impact—shifting focus from short-term infrastructure to long-term sustainability.
How Maji na Ufanisi Champions Inclusive Sanitation and Community Ownership
For over two decades, Maji na Ufanisi has demonstrated that inclusive sanitation facilities thrive when communities are in charge. We co-design, train committees, and provide seed funding to jumpstart local ownership.
How you can help:
- Donate to expand inclusive sanitation across Kenya
- Partner with us to replicate the ownership model nationally
- Volunteer or advocate to strengthen policies supporting inclusive WASH
Together, we can ensure sanitation systems are not just built—but sustained for generations.
Wrap Up
From blueprint to sustainability, the journey of inclusive sanitation is only complete when communities take ownership. Facilities built without participation often collapse, but those owned and managed locally become symbols of dignity, pride, and resilience.
By investing in community ownership, we are not just building toilets—we are building futures. Supporting organizations like Maji na Ufanisi ensures these futures are dignified, inclusive, and sustainable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does “inclusive sanitation” mean?
It refers to sanitation facilities designed to be accessible, safe, and dignified for all—children, women, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
2. Why is community ownership important in sanitation?
Because it ensures facilities are maintained, respected, and sustained long-term. Without ownership, facilities often fail.
3. How does inclusive sanitation differ from traditional sanitation?
Inclusive sanitation prioritizes accessibility, gender sensitivity, and cultural relevance, ensuring no one is left out.
4. What role do women play in community-owned sanitation?
Women often lead management committees, ensuring facilities meet the needs of families, especially in hygiene and privacy.
5. Are community-owned facilities financially sustainable?
Yes, when communities establish revenue models such as small user fees or partnerships, sustainability is achievable.
6. What are the main challenges in achieving community ownership?
Cultural stigma, leadership conflicts, and financial constraints are common hurdles.
7. How does inclusive sanitation affect education?
By providing safe, private, and hygienic facilities, especially for girls, it reduces absenteeism and dropout rates.
8. What organizations support inclusive sanitation in Kenya?
Maji na Ufanisi is a pioneer, alongside partners like UNICEF and county governments.
9. How does sanitation improve community confidence?
By restoring dignity, improving health, and fostering shared responsibility, sanitation strengthens trust and pride.
10. How can I support inclusive sanitation initiatives?
You can donate, partner, volunteer, or advocate for policies that prioritize inclusive and community-owned facilities.
