People affected by humanitarian crises can have vastly different experiences of SWM depending on their sex, gender identity, age, physical capacity, race, socioeconomic status and other factors. These factors affect their vulnerability and response to crises and shape their ability to recover, access and engage with humanitarian programming. Emergencies often exacerbate existing inequalities, so humanitarian actors must observe the 'Do No Harm' principle throughout the SWM cycle, from assessment P.3 to monitoring X.3 and handover. Applying conflict sensitivity in SWM interventions helps to minimise the risk of aggravating conflict dynamics and jeopardising outcomes. A conflict-sensitive approach considers both internal and external programme operations as well as their impact at the local, national or international level.

Protection and Ensuring Access to Vulnerable Populations

In keeping with ’Do No Harm’, humanitarian actors are accountable for protecting and empowering affected communities, ensuring services reach those in need (particularly the most vulnerable) without negatively affecting them. Protection and access require humanitarian actors to involve local stakeholders and affected communities in decision-making and ensure transparency in plans and activities. For further guidance, see Inclusive Planning and Participation X.2 and Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning X.3.

According to UNHCR’s Protection and Accountability Briefing Paper, SWM protection and accessibility challenges often exist (but are not limited to) for the following groups and contexts:

Girls and boys are vulnerable to Gender-Based Violence (GBV); they may be engaged to transport or dispose of solid waste outside the safety of their homes and might also engage in informal and unsafe SWM activities.

Adolescent girls are more vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation. They may be required to dispose of solid waste outside the safety of their homes or to engage in informal and unsafe SWM activities.

People with disabilities can be less able to express their needs and are particularly vulnerable to GBV and exploitation. They may be unable to access SWM services due to physical and design barriers.

Older people are also at risk of GBV and exploitation. They may be unable to access SWM services due to physical and design barriers.

Women often have less decision-making power and can be particularly vulnerable to GBV. They are less likely to be paid for SWM work yet are often responsible for SWM tasks at a household level. Women are frequently housebound and responsible for cooking, cleaning and domestic waste management. If waste collection requires them to leave the house, they are more likely to continue with open burning U.11 in their backyards. Hence, they must be prioritised as service users. 

Men are most likely to be engaged in formal or informal SWM works and decisions. As a result, they may face risks to their health and stigmatisation.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ+) persons are likely to experience discrimination, harassment, violence and risks to their lives because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. They may be unable to access SWM services or benefit from paid SWM work.

Urban areas with higher population densities and enhanced access to markets commonly increase the quantity and types of waste but not necessarily with an accompanying increase in safe waste management services. 

UNHCR’s Briefing Paper also describes five principles that define how protection should be integrated into WASH, including SWM, in humanitarian settings and displacement contexts.

Principle 1 - Consultation, participation, information and feedback X.2: a diverse range of communities and people participate in and are consulted and informed about SWM interventions (including in initial assessments and monitoring). Feedback and complaint mechanisms are available and responsive.  

Principle 2 - Equitable access: access to SWM infrastructure, information and services is equitable and considers the requirements of people with specific needs and vulnerabilities.

Principle 3 - Protection, safety and privacy: are integrated into the design and delivery of SWM services.

Principle 4 - Menstrual hygiene: the needs of women and girls to manage their menstrual periods confidently, in privacy and with dignity are integrated into SWM interventions W.4.

Principle 5 - Cross-sector collaboration, coordination and capacity X.7: capacity strengthening, inter-agency coordination and collaboration with other sectors integrate accountability and strengthen protection and the quality of SWM interventions.

Dignity, Access, Participation and Safety (DAPS)  

The DAPS approach is a practical method of integrating protection, gender, accountability and inclusion principles into SWM, enhancing inclusivity, equitable access, quality services and representation for all stakeholders while minimising protection risks throughout the response. This includes the critical role of informal sector workers who sort and facilitate waste management efforts in many contexts. They are often among the most vulnerable people in society. Every effort should be made to engage them in the design of an SWM programme, ensuring that their livelihoods are not displaced (X.2 and X.6). 

Dignity: Ensuring Respect and Inclusion

Dignity means systems that address the needs of all individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable or marginalised. Dignity emphasises equitable access to SWM facilities and services while fostering respect and reducing stigma.

Examples of challenges and suggested solutions include:

• Disposal of menstrual hygiene and incontinence products: the lack of appropriate disposal options for menstrual and incontinence products can lead to embarrassment, stigma and health risks, especially for women and girls and elderly or disabled individuals (W.4). Without a convenient disposal option that people feel comfortable with, menstrual hygiene and incontinence items will often be disposed of in latrine pits. This can cause significant challenges for sludge removal and the management of solid waste from pits (W.6) and, in turn, increases the risk of women, girls and people with incontinence facing verbal abuse and violence. User feedback must inform the design of services and facilities which should be discrete and provide safe, dignified and convenient ways to dispose of waste.
• Stigma towards solid waste workers: waste workers are often marginalised and face discrimination due to societal perceptions of their work, impacting their dignity and inclusion. Women, children, elderly individuals, disabled persons and ethnic minorities are often over-represented in informal, unsafe or underpaid waste management work due to their low social status. Sensitisation about the importance of their role in the SWM cycle is critical for effective waste management. Workers should be respected and protected while performing these roles X.4.
• Cultural Sensitivity: services and facilities should be designed to respect local cultural norms (such as not burning materials with blood) and avoid stigmatising behaviours (such as handling certain types of waste).

Access: Removing Barriers to Facilities and Information

Women, children, elderly individuals, disabled persons and ethnic minorities often face systemic barriers to using waste management systems. Access involves designing SWM services and facilities that everyone can use. It also means ensuring that relevant information reaches all community members. Additionally, access means ensuring that new SWM services do not reduce access to resources for those already engaged in SWM practices.

Suggested solutions are:

• Disability Accessibility: waste disposal facilities should include ramps, low bins and handrails to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges.
• Age-Friendly Services: waste collection points should be in areas that are easy for older adults and children to access safely, minimising risks and encouraging active participation.
• Inclusive Communication: Training sessions and information campaigns should be delivered in all local languages, using visuals and simple messaging for individuals with limited literacy.
• Inclusion of informal waste workers: the design of SWM facilities and services should be in partnership with informal waste workers to promote better livelihood opportunities X.2.

Participation: Amplifying Voices in Decision Making X.2

Inclusive SWM programmes actively involve all community members in planning, implementing and monitoring services, fostering ownership and ensuring more equitable and relevant solutions. Participation means exploring and addressing barriers that prevent marginalised groups from having a voice in decision-making.

Examples of challenges in participation:

• Women and Girls are often excluded from decision-making processes, leading to inappropriate services. Women are often deprioritised in employment and livelihood opportunities and should be equally considered and accommodated. 
• People with Disabilities are rarely consulted during the planning of solid waste systems, resulting in facilities and services that are inaccessible or unusable. 
• Informal Waste Pickers are frequently overlooked in policy discussions, despite playing a key role in recycling.
• Knowledge Barriers prevent people from participating if they do not understand the topic, teaching style or language. There may be practical barriers to their participation, for example, meeting times that clash with childcare responsibilities and inaccessible locations for persons with disabilities. 
• Children and Youth are rarely involved in SWM design discussions despite being significant waste service users and critical disseminators of information.

Examples of strategies to increase participation:

• Inclusive Decision-Making Committees: form community committees with the balanced representation of different genders, age groups and people with disabilities.
• Assessments with Disaggregated Data: collect and analyse Sex, Age and Disability Disaggregated data to understand the specific needs and challenges of different groups within the community. 
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): conduct FGDs with diverse community members, including groups often denied a voice in decision making, to gather insights, identify barriers and ensure their concerns are incorporated into the SWM services.
• Barrier Analysis: identify and address cultural, structural, environmental, knowledge/awareness and social obstacles that hinder participation. Collaborate with local counterparts to develop solutions tailored to the local context.

Safety: Protecting Vulnerable Populations and Safeguarding 

Safety and safeguarding all individuals is critical to reducing harm and supporting community well-being. This involves designing facilities and services that minimise risks of violence, harassment, and harm while fostering a sense of security for all. It includes safeguarding against exploitation, abuse and neglect, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly and individuals with disabilities.

Examples of challenges in safeguarding:

• Exploitation of Informal Waste Pickers who are vulnerable to exploitation due to their precarious employment conditions and lack of formal protection.
• Risks for Women and Girls when collecting or disposing of waste GBV at waste collection points or along unsafe pathways.
• Children in Waste Management are vulnerable to abuse, neglect and hazardous working conditions, particularly when waste collection is incentivised on the volume collected. They should not be employed formally or informally as waste pickers.                                         
• Barriers to Reporting for marginalised groups who may lack access to safe and trusted mechanisms to report safeguarding violations in SWM systems X.3.

Examples of safety measures:

• Safeguarding Policies should be enforced for all stakeholders involved in SWM X.1.
• Reporting Pathways must be clear and confidential and provide accessible reporting pathways for community members to report concerns related to abuse or safety in SWM systems X.3.
• Safe, hygienic and user-friendly Disposal Systems (section  U ) should be provided, especially for hazardous waste W.2, ensuring they are accessible to all.
• Lighting and Security Measures should be installed at waste collection points to prevent harassment, violence, or exploitation, especially of women and girls.
• SWM Emergency Preparedness should be incorporated into community emergency response plans.
• Awareness Campaigns should be conducted with communities on safeguarding, rights, and protection mechanisms linked to SWM services X.6.
• Disaster Risk Reduction needs to be considered in the planning and implementation of SWM to minimise the impact of disasters and increase the resilience of services and infrastructure.

Conflict Sensitivity

Conflict sensitivity in humanitarian assistance is an essential contribution to building and sustaining peace. Aligned with ’Do No Harm’, an awareness of conflict dynamics minimises the risk that programme activities aggravate conflict and jeopardise broad protection outcomes. 

Conflict sensitivity is relevant for humanitarian organisations internally (such as in project administration) and externally during project implementation, as well as at local, national and international levels, affecting individuals, communities or cross-border relations.

According to the UN’s good practice note on conflict sensitivity, peacebuilding and sustainable peace, there are four steps to a conflict-sensitive approach for humanitarian programmes: 

• Understand the peace and conflict context (through a conflict sensitivity and peacebuilding analysis)
• Analyse how activities interact with peace and conflict
• Adapt activities and manage interactions
• Leverage opportunities for building and sustaining peace