Abstract

Poor sanitation remains one of the most persistent structural challenges affecting women’s health dignity and socio-economic stability in developing nations. In India and similar contexts sanitation gaps disproportionately burden women due to gendered constraints cultural norms and physiological needs that make access to safe sanitation a daily requirement. The lack of toilets inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities unsafe defecation practices and contaminated water sources impose both visible and hidden financial consequences on women. These costs manifest in the form of increased healthcare expenditure lost productivity restricted mobility reduced educational attainment lower workforce participation and psychological stress. This research paper examines the economic and financial implications of inadequate sanitation on women’s well-being through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates gender studies public health economics social development theories and empirical insights fro