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Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

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  • Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Initiative

    The Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiative aims to ensure safe and accessible water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of diseases and promote public health. WASH is a critical component of human development, directly impacting the well-being, dignity, and productivity of individuals, communities, and societies.

    Key Principles

    • Accessibility: Ensuring that everyone has access to safe and affordable water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

    • Affordability: Providing WASH services that are affordable for all, particularly the poor and vulnerable.

    • Equity: Ensuring that WASH services are accessible and equitable for all, regardless of age, sex, disability, or socioeconomic status.

    • Sustainability: Ensuring that WASH services are sustainable and can be maintained over time.

    • Participation: Involving communities and stakeholders in the planning, implementation, and management of WASH services.

    WASH Key Initiatives

    • Water Supply: Ensuring safe and reliable access to drinking water.

    • Sanitation: Providing access to safe and hygienic sanitation facilities.

    • Hygiene: Promoting good hygiene practices, including handwashing, proper waste management, and food handling.

    • Waste Management: Managing wastewater and solid waste to prevent environmental pollution and health risks.

    WASH Challenges

    • Limited Access: Many people lack access to safe and affordable WASH services, particularly in rural and urban slum areas.

    • Poor Quality: WASH services are often of poor quality, with contaminated water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene practices.

    • Inequity: WASH services are often inequitable, disproportionately affecting the poor and vulnerable.

    • Climate Change: Climate change exacerbates WASH challenges, with changing weather patterns and increased frequency of natural disasters.

    Our WASH Strategies

    • Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS): An approach that empowers communities to take ownership of their sanitation and hygiene practices.

    • Water Safety Plans: A risk-based approach to ensuring the safety of drinking water supplies.

    • Sanitation Marketing: An approach that promotes the adoption of improved sanitation facilities through market-based mechanisms.

    • Hygiene Promotion: Promoting good hygiene practices through education, awareness, and behavior change communication.

    • WASH in Schools: Promoting WASH in schools to improve the health and well-being of children.

    Benefits of Improved WASH

    • Improved Health: Reduced incidence of water-borne and sanitation-related diseases.

    • Increased Productivity: Improved WASH services increase productivity, particularly for women and girls, who often bear the burden of collecting water and caring for others.

    • Economic Benefits: Improved WASH services generate economic benefits, including increased economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.

    • Social Benefits: Improved WASH services promote social benefits, including dignity, self-esteem, and social cohesion.

    • Environmental Benefits: Improved WASH services reduce environmental pollution, protect ecosystems, and promote sustainable development.

    Sahyog Foundation’s Commitment

    Sahyog Foundation’s efforts align with key international frameworks and initiatives that play a vital role in promoting Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims for universal access to safe, affordable drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Improving WASH services is essential for public health, economic growth, and social well-being, fostering a more equitable and prosperous world.