The Water Institute at UNC and the Initiative for Sanitation Workers are pleased to invite submissions for the fifth edition of the Sanitation Workers Research Awards, to be presented at the 2025 UNC Water and Health Conference. Read more …

La recherche ne se limite pas à la connaissance—elle a pour but de créer un impact. Au Niger, des chercheurs et des travailleurs de l’assainissement unissent leurs forces pour traduire les données en actions concrètes, améliorant ainsi leurs conditions de travail et leur reconnaissance. Découvrez comment la recherche a un impact immédiat pour ceux qui sont en première ligne de l’assainissement. ************** Research isn't just about knowledge—it’s about making a difference. In Niger, researchers and sanitation workers are joining forces to turn data into action, improving working conditions and securing well-deserved recognition. Discover how research is making an immediate difference for those on the front lines of sanitation. Read more …

Did you know that despite Bangladesh's National Social Security Strategy, thousands of sanitation workers remain excluded from essential benefits like pensions, health insurance, and maternity leave? These workers, often trapped in informal and exploitative employment arrangements, struggle daily without job security or social protection. WaterAid Bangladesh’s latest insights, based on conversations with 144 sanitation workers and key government officials, uncover the harsh realities of ghost employment, the lack of formal recognition, and the urgent need for policy reforms. Read more …

Formalizing faecal sludge management in Bangladesh is a critical step toward achieving SDG 6.2, with promises of safer working conditions, better wages, and dignity for sanitation workers. However, is the reality living up to this promise? While some workers have benefited from mechanical desludging and support from NGOs, many others face reduced incomes, job displacement, and inequitable access to resources. This blog delves into the unintended consequences of these reforms and explores how a "do-no-harm" approach is essential to ensuring these initiatives truly empower sanitation workers without exacerbating their vulnerabilities. Read more …

“We have participated in so many meetings and training sessions… but this time you are trusting us with these devices and inviting us to show you our lives…. we have never done anything like this before.” There was a sense of eagerness in the room, as this local sanitation worker shared his reflections following the initial training session on ‘Photovoice’. Read more …

Tika Lal, a sanitation worker from Nepal, has spent 17 years managing faecal sludge, facing hazardous conditions, societal stigma, and irregular pay. Despite these challenges, he continues his vital work with resilience and hope. Empowered by training from FANSA and support from organizations like WaterAid, Tika Lal advocates for dignity, safety, and better working conditions. From unsafe septic tanks to the lack of hygiene facilities, his story highlights the urgent need for systemic change. Explore Tika Lal’s journey and join the call to respect and support sanitation workers, the hidden heroes of our communities. Read more …

Strategic investments in localized, flexible funding can transform sanitation workers into advocates for their own rights, strengthening their capacity to engage with policymakers and improve sanitation service delivery. The Initiative for Sanitation Workers (ISW) pilot Empowerment Support Fund highlights how decolonized funding approaches—like autonomy, trust-based partnerships, and adaptable support—have empowered sanitation worker groups across six countries in Africa and South Asia. By facilitating self-advocacy and skill-building, this model not only advances workers' rights but also enhances sanitation outcomes, illustrating the impact of meaningful support for marginalized workers. Read more …

In the heart of Tamil Nadu, sanitation workers like Poongiammal have endured harsh working conditions and societal discrimination for decades. Despite policies in place, these workers often lack access to essential services, fair wages, and safe environments. Through the dedicated efforts of Vizhuthugal, an NGO advocating for sanitation workers’ rights, change is taking root. From helping workers claim compensation to enabling pathways to new livelihoods, Vizhuthugal is breaking the cycle of poverty and stigma. Dive into their journey of resilience and empowerment in this eye-opening story. Read more …

In a society that often overlooks their sacrifices, Pakistan’s sanitation workers face daily hazards without recognition or protection. This blog delves into the grassroots movement led by the Center for Law & Justice (CLJ), showcasing their resilient fight for dignity, safety, and rights. From tragic incidents sparking change to the establishment of the Sweepers’ Association Pakistan through community mobilization and advocacy, this story highlights the efforts of these unsung heroes and the CLJ's mission to uplift them. Discover the heartwarming transformations, empowering workshops, and the unified voices striving to break taboos and push for systemic change. Read more …

In Karnataka, the NGO Thamate is transforming sanitation workers from being mere advocates to becoming empowered leaders. Through the Safaikaramchari Kavalu Samiti (SKKS), a community-based network, sanitation workers have been mobilizing for their rights, demanding accountability from local authorities, and ensuring their voices are heard. This blog highlights how these sanitation workers are not only breaking down barriers but also paving the way for systemic change across the state with Thamate's support. Read more …

Nagorik Uddyog is bringing the voices of Bangladesh's Dalit sanitation workers to the forefront. Facing life-threatening conditions and deep-rooted caste discrimination, these workers are standing up for their rights. From human chains to national advocacy, Nagorik Uddyog is leading a movement to demand safety, fair wages, and dignity. Learn how they are pushing for change. Read more …

In Tanzania, the Watu Kazi group has turned dangerous, informal sanitation work into a model of safety and advocacy. With support from SNV and local government, they’ve gained recognition, improved working conditions, and are inspiring change across the region. Read more …

Introducing the distinguished recipients of the 2023 Sanitation Workers Research Awards! These awards, a partnership between the Initiative for Sanitation Workers and the esteemed Water and Health Institute at the UNC, hold a profound purpose: to ignite transformative research on the challenges and rights of sanitation workers. Read more …

In Pakistan, sanitation workers, like 50-year-old Tasleem Mai from Muzaffargarh, reveal a side of public health that few ever see: toxic fumes, makeshift safety practices, and the relentless physical toll of dangerous work. This blog shares their unfiltered stories—from Adnan Zaib’s painful recovery after a severe injury to the desperate need for better equipment and health support across cities like Karachi and Peshawar. It’s a raw look at the lives behind the labor, and what it would take to turn promises of safety into reality. Take a moment to hear their voices and join the call for change. Read more …

The second blog in the series draws from the 'Hidden World of Lagos Sanitation Workers' report to shed light on the institutional challenges faced by sanitation workers in Lagos. Despite their vital role in urban hygiene, these workers experience precarious working conditions and lack sufficient institutional support. The blog emphasizes the need for stronger frameworks, better protection, and recognition of their contributions. It also discusses efforts to organize workers, improve their livelihoods, and integrate them into formal support systems, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues to achieve SDG 6 (Sanitation for All) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Read more …

Sanitation workers in Lagos, Nigeria, are vital yet often overlooked contributors to urban health. This first blog in a two-part series by Basirat Oyalowo, Taibat Lawanson, and Anthony Akpan delves into their essential roles, the stigma they endure, and the harsh conditions they face. Through the 'Hidden World of Lagos Sanitation Workers’, discover how recognizing and supporting these unsung heroes can transform urban waste management and improve city-wide hygiene. Stay tuned for the next part, where the research team highlights the crucial institutional support needed to secure and uplift the precarious livelihoods of Lagos's sanitation workers! Read more …

Sanitation workers play an essential public health role, but struggle to access social protection and insurance. To change this, WaterAid Bangladesh and Waada.Insure launched the Shasthya Nirapotta Scheme – an insurance scheme that offers sanitation workers and their families health protection and financial security at an affordable cost. Read more …

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This study compares pit-latrine emptying businesses in Kampala, Uganda, and Kigali, Rwanda, focusing on resources, methods, and tariffs. Empirical data from Forever Sanitation and Pit Vidura show challenges with portable vacuum pumps in hard-to-reach areas, highlighting the need for formal manual emptying for some customers where mechanical methods are not viable. Manual emptying has similar duration to using a portable pump because of the additional time to set up, pack, and clean equipment. Higher regulatory standards can exclude households from using formal services. The study highlights the role of government in managing the tensions between affordability, formalization, and increasing coverage. Read more …

Part of the blog series 'Researchers for Sanitation Workers’ Rights' by UNC Sanitation Workers Research Awards 2023 awardees Read more …

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Part of the blog series 'Researchers for Sanitation Workers’ Rights' by UNC Sanitation Workers Research Awards 2023 awardees Read more …

In Nairobi, Kenya, informal sewer workers face significant health risks due to exposure to hazardous gases like hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2). A study conducted by Kenyatta University's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (DEOH) revealed elevated gas levels in sewer facilities, posing short- and long-term health threats. Read more …

"We considered them – manual emptiers – our enemies of sorts and the relationship we had with them was of a police-fugitive type", recounted Sanya Anthony Mwara, the Municipal Health Officer at Shinyanga Municipal Council. No longer outcasts, more and more emptiers have become sanitation heroes and partners for change. In this blog, Sanya shares what made this possible. Read more …

Part of the blog series 'Researchers for Sanitation Workers’ Rights' by UNC Sanitation Workers Research Awards 2023 awardees Read more …

Introducing the distinguished recipients of the 2023 Sanitation Workers Research Awards! These awards, a partnership between the Initiative for Sanitation Workers and the esteemed Water and Health Institute at the UNC, hold a profound purpose: to ignite transformative research on the challenges and rights of sanitation workers. Read more …

The Initiative for Sanitation Workers (ISW), a global advocacy partnership between ILO, WHO, World Bank, WaterAid and SNV, is pleased to announce this call for proposals, as part of the 2023-2024 Sanitation Workers Research Support Grants, which aims to connect researchers with sanitation worker organizations to collaborate in addressing the knowledge gaps and practical challenges of protecting sanitation workers’ rights. ***** L'Initiative pour les travailleurs de l'assainissement (ISW), un partenariat mondial de plaidoyer entre l'OIT, l'OMS, la Banque mondiale, WaterAid et SNV, a le plaisir d'annoncer cet appel à propositions, qui fait partie des subventions de soutien à la recherche sur les travailleurs de l'assainissement 2023-2024, qui vise à mettre en relation les chercheurs avec les organisations de travailleurs de l'assainissement afin de collaborer pour combler les lacunes en matière de connaissances et relever les défis pratiques liés à la protection des droits des travailleurs de l'assainissement. Read more …

By Shafique Massih, edited by Sterenn Philippe Read more …

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Meet the awardees of the 2022 Sanitation Workers Research Awards. These awards, a collaboration between the Initiative for Sanitation Workers, and the Water and Health Institute at the UNC, aim to encourage research on sanitation workers' challenges and rights. Read more …

To encourage research on sanitation workers' challenges and rights, the Initiative for Sanitation Workers, and the Water and Health Institute at the UNC are supporting the annual Sanitation Workers Research Awards, which are announced at the UNC Water and Health Conference every year. The 2022 awards will be announced during the 26 October plenary session at 10.30 AM EDT. Read more …

A team from Emory University and the World Health Organization published a literature review examining health outcomes of sanitation workers in the 2022 International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. Given the working conditions and the potential exposures to hazardous materials, understanding the exact risks that sanitation workers are exposed to is vital in improving their wellbeing. While most parts of this field need significantly more study, the three populations identified by the literature review that need the greatest amount of work yet are women, informally employed workers, and workers in low-income nations. Read more …

Can mechanisation address the problem of manual scavenging? The article looks at the historical, social, political and economic context of manual scavenging in South Asia; and highlights how mechanisation can end up reinforcing gendered, classed and casteist inequalities in sanitation work. Read more …

Drawing on a study undertaken with WaterAid in February–March 2020, Sally Cawood, Malisha Farzana, Faisal Naeem and Hossain I. Adib reflect on the challenges facing manual pit latrine emptiers, and key actions to foster improved job opportunities for marginalised sanitation workers in Bangladesh. Read more …

COVID-19 has deemed sanitation workers essential workers in fighting the pandemic which has granted them a larger appreciation for their work. Sanitation work is a profession that can impact poverty by keeping communities clean. It also perpetuates it by putting the workers at risk for health concerns, conditions and unsustainable pay among five other hidden dangers that sanitary workers face. Read more …

Sanitation workers often face extreme health hazards and safety risks on the job. In many developing countries, they are informal workers with no legal protections or rights. With a lack of visibility in society, they can be stigmatized, marginalized and ignored. The feature story by World Bank presents an overview of the challenges faced by sanitation workers. Read more …

Mariam Zaqout discusses the appropriateness and effectiveness challenges of providing assistance to improve the livelihoods of sanitation workers in low and middle-income countries. Read more …

Densely populated areas unserved by sewer systems continuously produce fecal sludge, for which safe disposal or recycling is challenging to achieve at scale. A group of researchers from the Aquaya Institute, Oliver Wyman, and Great Lakes University of Kisumu collected evidence and recommendations from Kisumu, Kenya. Read more …