The gender profile for deaths from diarrhoea due to poor water and sanitation is consistent across most regions: more males suffer and die from diarrhoea everywhere except South-East Asia, where the share of female deaths and illness is notable and produces a global tilt towards higher female deaths and DALYs overall (Table 2.2.1). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that this is the main cause of around 28% of child deaths worldwide (WaterAid 2009a). Among children under five diarrhoea is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, responsible for 20% of total deaths in this age group (WHO 2015, Walker et al.