WASH for everyone, everywhere: marketplaces as a multiplex pathway for improving inclusive access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in Vanuatu

Kotra, Krishna K. and Souter, Regina and Molitambe, Heather and Love, Mark (2025) WASH for everyone, everywhere: marketplaces as a multiplex pathway for improving inclusive access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in Vanuatu. Journal of Water and Health, 23 (3). pp. 301-313. ISSN 1477-8920

Text - Published Version Download (825kB)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for access to safe WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) practices, especially in non-household settings. This study examined the COVID response measures and WASH infrastructure and services situation in and around 14 marketplaces in three provinces in the Republic of Vanuatu during the pandemic. A total of 144 surveys and 42 interviews were undertaken with market stakeholders and government officials, including structured observations. 93% of the vendors were women, with 43% forced to change their product during COVID. 56% of vendors brought their own water containers, 40% of whom shared them with family; 16% of vendors had visible soap at their stalls. Rural market vendors were less likely to follow or observe protective measures. Six of seven rainwater tanks at markets tested positive for Escherichia coli. Among other things, the highly gendered space of ‘marketing’ and the centrality of marketplaces to both local food security and livelihoods brings into sharp relief the multiplex and inter-connected character of WASH. Marketplaces stand as an optimal ’leverage point’ for not only improving and scaling-up WASH services but also building greater WASH literacy and behavior change.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Covid-19, Marketplaces, non-household settings, water, sanitation and hygiene WASH, Vanuatu
Subjects:	T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
Divisions:	School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS)
Depositing User:	Krishna Kotra
Date Deposited:	29 Apr 2025 00:14
Last Modified:	29 Apr 2025 00:14
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/14882

Actions (login required)

View Item