The household environment of the poor, especially women and children in developing countries carries the biggest threat to health. These risks are said to be "traditional" in nature. In other words, they are associated with a lack of development. Household environmental problems typically include overcrowding, lack of sanitation and garbage disposal, indoor air pollution and vector-breeding grounds. Estimates are that around 30 per cent of the global burden of disease can be averted by improvements in household environs and of these, 20 per cent are just modest interventions. The gender specific situation of environmental effects arises from pre-existing gender inequalities in the division of labour; intra-household distribution of subsistence resources; access to productive resources; income-earning opportunities; and participation in decision-making.
The gender analysis of pollution problems indicates three type of situations. In the first, only women and children are exposed to certain pollutants. The perfect example cited is occupational exposure in industries (organised or unorganised) where only women are employed such as electronics, matchbox and fireworks, slate, bricks. Since women are in a disadvantageous position in the labour market and because of their lower occupational mobility, they are unable to move away from hazardous environments. The health effects of air pollution due to cooking with low-grade fuels is another example. Fetching of polluted water, bathing or washing clothes are other instances where women get exposed to pollutants.
In the second case, both men and women are equally exposed to similar levels of pollution, but the weaker physiological status of women and other factors render them more vulnerable to pollution hazards. Such a situation is more common in rural areas and slums. For example, all people living along the roads are exposed to similar levels of pollutants generated from vehicles. But the weaker physiological status of urban women makes them succumb to pollution-related illnesses more easily than the males. In the last case, both men and women are exposed to similar levels of pollution and the health outcomes are also similar. This is common in comparatively affluent classes.
Gopalan and Saksena's study is an assessment of the state of knowledge, contemporary situation, and status of scientific data that links domestic environmental parameters to the health of women and children. The authors try to identify critical knowledge gaps and needed research. They provide policy options, guidelines, possible interventions, and regulatory tools for improving health of women and children. Existing scientific literature and policy documents pertaining to the developing world are reviewed. Estimates of the magnitude and types of "human exposure" are made based on secondary data available in census surveys and documents published by the United Nations and other agencies. The authors lay emphasis on housing, fuel shortage and indoor pollution, water supply and sanitation, and nutritional status.
The key disease groups that were seen to be contributing to the health-housing linkage, for instance, included respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, malaria, flavivirus infections, chagas disease, intestinal helminthic infections, and household injuries. Data availability and quality across these areas were found to be highly variable. The major gap identified in housing issues was that of exposure studies. Moreover, only some health risks within the major disease categories were well-defined. The authors conclude that there is an imperative need for an alternative approach and a new research agenda focusing on developing country problems and priorities.
The authors are rightly concerned about women's empowerment - of their much-needed role in decisionmaking. Women's contribution to making the environment as a central issues has been significant. All over the developing world, women play a crucial role in environment management - as farmers, as stockbreeders, and as suppliers of fuel and water. Women interact most closely with the environment. They are the managers, and often, the preservers of natural resources. The importance of women's role in environmental issues has long been recognised in developing countries. The empowerment of women is vital if they are to participate fully. What matters is how the link between women and the environment is perceived and acted upon. Governments, aid agencies and local communities must see women as central figures in environment management. They should be shaping policies and projects and benefiting directly from them. It is not enough to reduce the damaging effects of conventional development - there is a need for positive action to enhance the role of women as resource managers.
Review: Domestic Environment and Health of Women and Children
