Gender-responsive behaviour change research: leveraging women's and men's motivations to inform interventions for transitioning to piped water supply in Indonesia

This study investigates how a gender-responsive, behaviour-centred design (BCD) approach can support the transition from groundwater to piped water supply in low- and middle-income urban communities. Using a combination of literature review, qualitative research (20 participants) in a low-income community in West Jakarta, and a stakeholder workshop, the study identified gender-specific preferences and barriers influencing water-use behaviours. Women emphasised concerns about water quality, particularly taste and microbial content due to their caregiving and cooking responsibilities, while men prioritized cost-efficiency in infrastructure requirements. Guided by the BCD framework and a gender-transformative framework, researchers co-developed a campaign concept with stakeholders that addressed these differing motivations and where possible, avoided reinforcing traditional gender roles. The findings highlight the value of integrating gender considerations into behavioural interventions to promote equitable and sustainable access to safe water, with potential applicability to other sectors.