Impact of Female-Unfriendly Sanitation on Adolescent Girls’ Well-being and Education in Khulna City

Irin Azhar Urme; Fariha Tasnim; Md. Ahad Hossain; Asif Khan

doi:10.53808/KUS.2025.22.02.1458-ss

Authors

Irin Azhar Urme Development Studies Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
Fariha Tasnim Development Studies Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
Md. Ahad Hossain English Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna – 9208, Bangladesh
Asif Khan Sociology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2025.22.02.1458-ss

Keywords:

Female-Friendly Sanitation, Menstrual Hygiene Management, School Absenteeism, Adolescent Health, Gender Equality, WASH in Schools

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of female-unfriendly sanitation infrastructure on the health, dignity, and educational outcomes of adolescent girls in Khulna City, Bangladesh. Drawing on a cross-sectional survey of 150 students across public, private, and semi-government secondary schools, the research employs descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and correlation analysis to examine relationships between sanitation conditions and menstrual health, school attendance, and academic concentration. Findings reveal significant disparities in toilet cleanliness, availability of sanitary disposal facilities, and access to water and soap-conditions that disproportionately affect girls in private institutions. Notably, 38.7% of respondents reported discomfort during menstruation due to inadequate facilities, while 41.3% experienced reduced classroom concentration. Although all schools provided sanitary products, only two-thirds offered them free of charge, highlighting equity gaps. The study underscores the urgent need for gender-sensitive WASH interventions in school infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of clean, private, and well-equipped toilets to support girls’ health, reduce absenteeism, and promote inclusive education. Policy recommendations include targeted investment, inclusive budgeting, and participatory monitoring to ensure that schools become empowering spaces for all students.

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