Solid Waste Management Policies in Urban Africa: Gender and Life-course Considerations in Nairobi and Mombasa

Urban Africa Risk Knowlegde

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Abstract: Building on available evidence that there are differences of exposure to solid waste among males and females at different stages of the life-course (children,youth,adults and older persons),it follows that effective SWM policies need to recognize such variations,as a prelude to rolling out programmes to address associated socio-economic and health risks. However,this logical scenario does not seem to be the case. In this paper,we use analytical review methodology to examine integrated environmental management and sector specific policies in Nairobi and Mombasa,Kenya?s two biggest cities,to highlight the extent to which existing policies and practices cover the differential challenges of exposure to solid waste and associated health challenges for males and females across the life-course. We complemented the review with an analysis of primary qualitative data. We find that apart from one municipal policy and the national vision 2030,which underscores the importance of including women and young people in waste management,16 other policies reviewed are generally silent on gender and life-course issues. The results of the qualitative data revealed a clear policy implementation and enforcement challenges in the Kenyan waste management sector,and that policy makers and community members do not recognise scavengers,who are important actors in the SWM chain. Beyond the little focus on gender and life-course specific challenges,the general lag in policy implementation and enforcement of regulations will still hinder the emergence of an effective SWM system out of the best policy frameworks. The forgoing underscore both policy and implementation gaps,which need to be filled,if policies will potentially engender SWM practices that will be relevant and effective in protecting the health of the most vulnerable in urban Africa.