WASH4Girls Initiative – DM AID

The Human Development Foundation (HDF), in partnership with Danish Muslim Aid (DMAID), successfully implemented the WASH4Girls Initiative in District Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), from November 2024 to December 2025. The programme aimed to improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities while promoting menstrual hygiene management (MHM) among adolescent girls in public schools.

A total of 249 government schools were assessed to identify WASH-related needs and gaps. Based on these assessments, essential facilities were installed in 182 schools, including electric water coolers equipped with three-stage filtration systems and dedicated handwashing units. These interventions ensured reliable access to safe drinking water and improved hygiene practices, contributing to a healthier, more dignified, and girl-friendly school environment.

In addition, toilet rehabilitation was carried out in 160 schools, significantly improving sanitation conditions, privacy, and usability of existing facilities—particularly for adolescent girls. To further enhance access to safe drinking water, 10 water filtration and reverse osmosis (RO) plants were installed in selected schools, providing treated, potable water and reducing the risk of waterborne diseases. Overall, these interventions directly benefited more than 5,200 students.

Beyond infrastructure development, the programme placed strong emphasis on awareness, capacity building, and community engagement. A total of 2,000 IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials were distributed to raise awareness about hygiene practices. Additionally, 200 MHM awareness sessions were conducted for students and mothers, helping to address cultural taboos and promote positive behavioural change. To ensure sustainability, 104 female teachers were trained as MHM champions, enabling continued knowledge dissemination within schools.

The initiative also fostered strong collaboration with district authorities, school management committees, and community stakeholders, promoting ownership and long-term sustainability. By integrating infrastructure improvements with education, behaviour change, and institutional partnerships, the WASH4Girls Initiative has significantly enhanced girls’ health, dignity, and school participation. It has also laid a solid foundation for sustained impact by strengthening local capacity, improving social norms around menstruation, and ensuring safe and supportive learning environments for girls beyond the project lifecycle.