This study finds that investing in sanitation not only improved children’s health, but also created valuable time-savings for all household members.
In 160 villages in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, cash rewards incentivized households to build toilets. Households in areas where sanitation improved, enjoyed a cleaner local environment, and the need to boil water for consumption was lowered. This change saved time, especially for women and girls, who traditionally spend hours collecting firewood and boiling water.