Wash Project
Our Story
The WASH Project (Women Sanitation and Hygiene) is a campaign by Humans for Humanity initiated in 2014; its motive is to empower women through knowledge. It is disheartening to see the prevailing lack of awareness in the country about an extremely widespread and natural process and hard to believe that in an age where we claim to be ‘developed’, ‘progressive’, and ‘modern’, people still believe taboos and myths like menstruating women should not be allowed to enter the kitchen.
What all began with Mr Anurag Chauhan reading an article about the deaths caused by poor menstrual hygiene in India, is now a nationwide movement to improve the petty situation.
Census 2011 highlighted that around 336 million girls and women in India are of reproductive age and menstruate for 2-7 days, every month.
Yet an alarming number of women in the country don’t have access to menstrual products.
It is a cause of great concern since even under the title of women empowerment, this crucial issue is still being hushed and wrapped. How can women be empowered if we can’t save their lives? Instead of protecting them from the world, they need to be taught to save themselves. These are the ideas which led to the commencement of the WASH project. It aims to reach out to women, especially in rural areas, educate them about menstrual health end the stigma attached to the subject, and create awareness against misbeliefs.
The Motive of Wash Project
Awareness
A team of volunteers and doctors visit underprivileged women in remote areas to educate them about menstrual health. They are explained the reasons behind menstruation and how to deal with the changes, from menarche to menopause.
Affordability
Considering their cost, many can’t avail of menstrual products. We at HFH distribute free sanitary napkins to rural women and teach them how to make their own out of cotton to ensure that the women become independent and self-reliant.
Nutrition
A shocking 53.2% of non-pregnant and 50.4% of pregnant women in India were found to be anemic (2016) due to a lack of proper nutrition and an imbalanced diet. Nutritionists and volunteers from HFH instruct on how to stay fit and healthy for their daily tasks.
Sanitation & Hygiene
A motivated team of gynecologists and research scholars, explain the importance of absolute personal hygiene, and the hazards of improper menstrual health. They are also taught how to properly use pads and dispose of them in a sanitary way.
Safe Space
Psychologists and counselors provide a safe space for women to open up, share their experiences and feel supported through this phase and address their issues in stable and consistent ways. It is of utmost importance for women to feel empowered.
