WaterAid Canada

Published purpose

P006331001: This project aims to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women and adolescent girls in Burkina Faso, Liberia, Pakistan and Sierra Leone, through menstrual health and hygiene interventions. Poor menstrual health and hygiene exacts a tremendous human and financial toll. A growing body of global research links menstruation with school absenteeism, limited mobility, and lost workplace productivity. Project activities include: (1) infrastructure work to refurbish latrines so that they are secure, accessible and equipped to serve the needs of women and girls for menstrual hygiene management (including private space with adequate water supply for washing and disposal facilities for sanitary pads) at schools, healthcare facilities and in communities; (2) improving and/or developing supply chains for menstrual hygiene products that present economic opportunities to engage local business, women entrepreneurs and youth-led groups; and (3) policy interventions to examine national and district plans, policies and budgets in order to provide adequate consideration of the menstrual health and hygiene needs of women and adolescent girls in schools, communities and healthcare centers. This project is expected to directly benefit 91,450 people, of which 72% are women, including youth under the age of 19. The project is led by WaterAid Canada, in partnership with Canada World Youth and Simavi. P006331002: In order to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the proposed amendment will enable the Organization to implement a hygiene behaviour change response aimed at slowing the transmission of the virus. The COVID-19 response efforts of HerWASH include promotion and awareness of improved hygiene behaviour in healthcare facilities and communities and of good menstrual hygiene practices among women and girls in support of the project’s SRHR goals and results.