UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

Published purpose

This project aims to enhance educational opportunities for girls by supporting the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene In Schools for Girls (WinS for Girls) program. WinS for Girls is a multi-country program and partnership led by UNICEF and the UN Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI) that seeks to increase the number of girls completing primary school and entering secondary schools. Menstrual health management is a key factor in ensuring girls stay in school. Working in over 100 schools per participating country, with activities at local, national, and international levels, WinS for Girls is addressing the menstrual hygiene management needs and cultural norms that are barriers for adolescent girls to attending and performing well at school. Some project activities include: (i) conducting qualitative field research on menstrual hygiene management knowledge and practices among school girls; (ii) developing a basic menstrual hygiene management package for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in schools based on country-specific research and current practices; and (iii) establishment of menstrual hygiene management working groups led by the Ministry of Education in each country.