This short post acknowledges the value of collaboration between the private sector and communities, to deliver gender-sensitive solutions in the context of WASH.
The limitation of the state to deliver public sanitation needs in South Africa, as referenced in a previous post gives rise to the transformation of what would be public services into private goods. The business and poverty debate frames this, in which the needs and aspirations of the poor are deemed both an effective technical solution to address poverty problems and mobilise corporate growth.
The Unilever promotion of Lifebuoy soap and associated hand-washing campaigns to limit the spread of disease, introduced to South Africa in 2012, evidences this. However, the advocation of cleaning hands, rather than improving water supply, compounded by the introduction of Western hygienic norms, has led to critiques. Through which, the introduction of Lifebuoy soap is seen to parallel colonial civilising missions, furthering commercial expansion, rather than ‘saving lives’.
Therefore, more inclusive business strategies are necessary, aiming to shake the hands of low -income people, rather than hold them. For example, by engaging with them as customers, offering affordable, socially beneficial products. Or, by employing them as business associates: suppliers, agents, distributers, to improve household incomes.
Blossom Care epitomises this. Supported by Halls, an agricultural business, Blossom Care tackles period poverty in South Africa by providing affordable sanitary care to township markets, whilst creating jobs for women throughout their enterprise. To learn more about this, I recommend watching the below video, which surmises the economic and menstrual issues of disadvantaged women in South Africa, and how Blossom Care successfully addresses this.
Figure 1: Illustrating Blossom Care's three core principles, evidencing an inclusive business strategy to address period poverty in South Africa.
Source: Blossom Care (2021).
Figure 2: A video to explain more about Blossom Care, regarding where they work, why the project exists, and their relationship with their business supporter- Halls.
Source: Halls, Youtube (2021).
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