This paper is an analysis of the current state of the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector in
Tanzania, with a particular focus on women and children. It is an extended version of the WASH
section of the Situation Analysis of Women and Children in Tanzania, 2009, undertaken in
collaboration between the Government of Tanzania and UNICEF and prepared as an input to the
imminent MKUKUTA review process.
WASH, Women and Children
Clean and safe water, adequate sanitation facilities and safe hygiene practices are all fundamental
to child survival and maternal health. Diarrhoea and Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs), both
affected by water, sanitation and hygiene cause 40 percent of under-5 deaths internationally and
25 percent of neonatal deaths are due to infection, which is affected by poor hygiene and unclean
delivery environment (WaterAid, 2008). 30 percent of all neonatal deaths in Tanzania are related
to infections or diarrhoea and yet only 34 percent of all health facilities have a regular access to
year round water supply and 37 percent do not have a client latrine.
Women and children are disproportionately affected by a lack of access to WASH services. Across
most of Tanzania, the burden of collecting water, cooking, cleaning, child care and care for the
sick is borne largely by women and children and girls suffer from inadequate latrine facilities at
schools particularly during menses. 8 percent of women in Tanzania collect water from a source
over 8km from their households (HBS, 2007). Consequently any improvements in service delivery
will bring disproportionate benefits to them.