Gender-Segregated Sanitation Facilities in Schools

Ensuring sanitation facilities at schools are comfortable and safe to use for both boys and girls is one of the pre-conditions for increasing girls’ school attendance. This indicator therefore measures the number (or proportion) of the target schools that have separate improved sanitation for boys and girls.

Collect the following data by using observations (Q1-Q5) and conducting key informant interviews (Q1, Q2 and Q4) with the schools’ managers and students:

RECOMMENDED SURVEY QUESTIONS (Q) AND POSSIBLE ANSWERS (A)

Q1: Are there latrines at this school?

A1: yes / no

(ask the following questions only if the previous answer is YES)

Q2: Do the latrines have doors?

A2: yes / no / only some latrines have doors

Q3: During normal working hours, are the latrines are open and operating?

A3: yes / no / only some latrines are operating

Q4 for data collectors: What type of latrines are available?

A4: _

1) pit latrine with slab

2) ventilated improved pit latrine

3) flush or pour toilet (connected to a sewer system or a septic tank)

4) composting toilet

5) pit latrine without slab

6) other - specify: ...........................

Q5: Are there separate latrines for girls and boys?

A5: yes / no

Q6 for data collectors: Is it clearly visible which latrines are for girls and which are for boys?

A6: yes / no

A school can be considered as having "separate improved sanitation facilities" if the responses to Q1, Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q6 are YES and the response to Q4 is any of the first four options.

To calculate the indicator's value, divide the number of schools meeting these criteria by the total number of surveyed schools. Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage. 

1) It is equally important that the school facilities allow for adequate menstrual hygiene. IndiKit’s guidance can help you to assess the proportion of schools having the required facilities.