Impact of Community-Led Total Sanitation Programmes on Gender Norms in West African Cities: An Empowerment Analysis Using Household Survey Data,

Community-led total sanitation (CLTS) programmes have been implemented in West African cities to improve access to basic sanitation facilities and reduce health risks. However, their impact on gender norms remains understudied. The analysis employs quantitative methods and synthesizes findings from existing studies that include both qualitative and quantitative data. The meta-analysis uses standardised summary statistics and robust standard errors to account for variability across studies. Findings suggest a significant positive correlation between the implementation of CLTS programmes and changes in gender norms, with a proportion of households reporting improvements in attitudes towards women's participation in sanitation-related decisions increasing by around 30% compared to baseline levels. While the findings indicate potential benefits for gender empowerment through CLTS programmes, further research is needed to explore these effects in diverse contexts and over longer periods. Future studies should consider longitudinal data collection and include more detailed qualitative assessments to better understand the mechanisms underlying observed changes in gender norms. The empirical specification follows Y=β₀+β^ X+ε, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.