Water for Women: helping to implement gender-responsive sanitation systems

A Thai woman and man show still drawings as if presenting them. One drawing depics a woman comforting another in distress, and the other drawing depects the distressed woman touching her stomach as if in pain

Basic sanitation is still out of reach for 2.3 billion people globally. GHD’s work on the Water for Women Fund is improving health, gender equality, and wellbeing in Asian and Pacific communities through socially inclusive and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs.

Responding to the clean water crisis

A lack of clean water and sanitation undermines education, healthcare, and the dignity of people who are already disadvantaged and vulnerable. And it is a particular problem for girls and women.

GHD has been appointed as the managing contractor for the Water for Women Fund, a five-year initiative of the Australian Government being delivered as part of Australia’s aid program.

The Fund is investing AUD118.9 million between 2018 to 2022 in socially inclusive and sustainable WASH programs across Asian and Pacific communities. The program will help an estimated 2.95 million people, focusing on women, people with disabilities, and other marginalised groups in the poorest human settlements.

GHD has partnered with 10 civil society organisations (CSOs) and five research organisations to deliver 33 projects in 15 countries. Some of these CSOs include World Vision, Water Aid, Thrive Networks, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and Plan Australia.

Putting the right to sanitation into practice

So far, 1.4 million people have benefited from greater access to WASH services as a result of the Fund’s work. Almost 98% of those people are from rural areas. Over half (56%) now have access to improved sanitation, 43% have access to clean water, and 41% have improved hygiene levels.

According to the World Health Organisation, for every dollar invested in WASH, the return in positive socio-economic impacts is four-fold.

Dr. Alison Baker, Water for Women Fund Manager