Voices from the Margins (Paperback)

This book is the culmination of an intensive ethnographic study conducted within the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a primary focus on understanding the gender dynamics surrounding sanitation access and management. The study was driven by a desire to delve into the challenges and inequalities associated with sanitation practices in Dhaka's slums through a lens of gender responsiveness.
As a dedicated researcher and social worker, I have always been passionate about advancing gender equality and empowering women in developing nations. Upon my arrival in Dhaka, I was immediately struck by the dire sanitation crisis prevalent in the city's slums, particularly its disproportionate impact on women and girls. Inadequate sanitation facilities not only exposed them to health risks but also eroded their dignity and jeopardized their safety.
This book strives to illuminate the unique challenges and inequalities that pertain to sanitation access and management in Dhaka's slums, emphasizing their gender-specific dimensions. Through comprehensive fieldwork, including in-depth interviews with slum residents, community leaders, and government officials, I gained invaluable insights into the intricate complexities of sanitation practices within these communities.
My sincere hope is that this book will make a meaningful contribution to the ongoing endeavours aimed at addressing the sanitation crisis in Dhaka's slums, prioritizing a gender-responsive approach. By doing so, it aspires to foster gender equality, promote women's empowerment, and inspire positive change in developing nations and beyond.