WASH and MHM experiences of disabled females living in Dhaka slums of Bangladesh

The rapid expansion of slums with increasing population density are the main barriers to scaling-up sustainable Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in the megalopolis of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The improper arrangement of ‘Cheap WASH’ (i.e., water access, sanitation access, and hygiene practices) and unmanaged disposal of non-biodegradable menstrual hygiene wastes, single-use medical, and plastic usage at slums are making the environment of city surroundings unfavourable and vulnerable posing a great threat to public health. Among the slum-dwellers, particularly, females with a disability are mostly the worst affected and vulnerable due to unfavourable conditions and lack of necessary support. Following the backdrops, this study purposively selected two Dhaka slums, with and without disabled-friendly facilities, to investigate female perspectives on different aspects related to WASH and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) for females with a disability. In total, 30 in-depth interviews, 12 focus group discussions, and 22 key informant interviews were conducted at Korail and Kalyanpur slums. Case studies from the megalopolis of Dhaka, Bangladesh, capture the economic burden added to the budgetary deficits of the family with female-disabled. Discrimination in extra care needed for toilet facilities, MHM education, and transport and overlooking the caretaker's requirement or loss in income are found as additional burdens. HIGHLIGHTS Inaccessibility and inconveniences linked to WASH and MHM are barriers to self-dependency for disabled females.; Economic burdens are adding to disabled families’ budgetary deficits.; Formal education beyond the primary level is commonly denied for menstruating disabled due to a lack of trained caretakers.; High-plinth toilets made to avoid regular flooding exacerbates disabled accessibility to current public latrines.;