Water and sanitation facilities in higher education institutions plays a fundamental role in economic activity and human well-being including education. However, there is lack of gender based evidence on the provisioning and management of water and sanitation facilities in higher education institutions in East Africa. This study assessed gender responsiveness in the provisioning and management of water and sanitation facilities at the two East African Universities namely Makerere University in Uganda and University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The study adopted a cross-sectional gender focused study design. Forty (40) in-depth interviews and twenty-four (24) focused group discussions with University managers and student's leaders were conducted. Findings indicated that gender perspectives were inadequately integrated in the provisioning and management of water and sanitation facilities. Inadequacies and gender differences were created with female students and those with special needs receiving limited access to and utilization of water and sanitation facilities than their male student's counterparts.

During the past two decades, East African Universities (EAUs) have experienced ten-fold growth in student enrollments, which has mounted pressure on the aged water and sanitation facilities. This study examined the gender responsiveness in the provisioning and management of water and sanitation facilities at Makerere University (MAK), Uganda and University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Tanzania. The study focused on the status, access, utilization, and students" perceptions of provisioning and management of water and sanitation facilities. A cross sectional gender focused research design was adopted. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for data collection. For determination of the status of water and sanitation facilities at both universities, geospatial analysis was performed in ArcGIS 10.1 using geo-referenced toilet and water facility information. The current levels of access to and utilization of water and sanitation facilities at MAK and UDSM are deficient and create gender differences. Female students and those with special needs are the most affected. This status may have serious implications on students" health, socio-economic wellbeing and academic performance. There is need to develop and implement a gender responsive framework and create gender awareness on appropriate use and stakeholders" rights to water and sanitation facilities in EAUs.