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Water, sanitation and social innovations in health: a qualitative exploration of gender and intersecting social stratifiers in a rural ram-pump project in the Philippines

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Social innovation plays a critical role in addressing fundamental health determinants, such as access to safe water. Observational studies highlight how clean water disproportionately affects women and girls, resulting in persistent health problems influenced by gender norms around water and sanitation. Furthermore, gender intersects with other social stratifiers—such as socioeconomic status and geographic location—exacerbating this disadvantage. This study explores how gender and social stratifiers intersect in the context of a social innovation in the Philippines, a hydraulic ram pump model, which brings water to remote upland communities. Combining community-driven approaches with technical innovation, this innovation empowers communities, improves health outcomes and fosters resilience. Methods Qualitative research methods were used, including in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analysed using a coding framework and MaxQDA software to identify key themes related to water and sanitation, gender norms and community participation. Results The findings highlight how gender norms intersect with socioeconomic factors and geographical location to influence health outcomes. Gender roles influence participation and underscore how context-specific and community-driven approaches address health disparities, emphasising the role of social innovations in equitable access to water. Conclusion Gender and social stratifiers intersect to shape individuals' experiences, creating disparities in health needs and access to resources like water. In social innovations, it is crucial to examine gender norms at the community level and understand the sociocultural realities people face. Social innovation research must evolve to consider these complexities, as gendered relations and intersecting social stratifiers directly influence health outcomes and access to resources.

Source: BMJ Innovations

DOI: 10.1136/bmjinnov-2024-001280

Authors: Abigail Ruth Mier, Pauline Marie Padilla Tiangco, Jana Deborah Mier-Alpaño, Excelsa Tongson, Paul Edward Muego, Meredith del Pilar-Labarda

Institutions: University of the Philippines Manila, University of the Philippines System, University of the Philippines Diliman

Language: English

Topic: Water Resource Management and Quality

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences