Hygiene Kits & Construction of Toilets For Girls

1. Introduction

Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities is essential for the health, education, dignity and protection of girls.

In many poor and rural communities in Pakistan, girls face difficulties because of inadequate toilets, lack of privacy, insufficient water, poor sanitation and limited access to hygiene materials. These problems become particularly serious for adolescent girls during menstruation.

A lack of safe and private toilets can make girls feel unsafe, uncomfortable and embarrassed. It may also discourage them from attending school or participating fully in community activities.

Joy Foundation Pakistan proposes the Hygiene Kits & Construction of Toilets for Girls initiative to improve sanitation, menstrual hygiene and personal hygiene among vulnerable girls and their families.

The project will combine practical hygiene support, hygiene education and the construction or rehabilitation of safe, private and girl-friendly toilets.

2. Background

Water, sanitation and hygiene are important components of public health and human dignity.

The Sustainable Development Goals recognize universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene as an essential development objective. SDG 6 specifically calls for access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, paying particular attention to the needs of women and girls.

Girls have specific sanitation and privacy needs, particularly during menstruation. A toilet that is technically functional may still be unsuitable for girls if it lacks privacy, water, lighting, safe access or appropriate disposal arrangements.

Joy Foundation therefore believes that WASH interventions should consider the specific needs of girls and adolescent women.

3. Problem Statement

Girls in vulnerable communities may experience several hygiene and sanitation challenges, including:

• Lack of private toilets
• Open defecation
• Unsafe or damaged toilets
• Lack of water near toilets
• Lack of soap and handwashing facilities
• Poor sanitation
• Inadequate lighting
• Unsafe access to sanitation facilities
• Lack of menstrual hygiene products
• Lack of suitable disposal facilities
• Limited awareness of personal hygiene
• Menstrual stigma and misinformation

These challenges can affect girls' health, dignity, confidence, education and participation in community life.

4. Program Goal

To improve the health, dignity, safety and educational participation of vulnerable girls by providing hygiene kits, sanitation facilities and menstrual hygiene support.

5. Specific Objectives

The project aims to:

1. Provide essential hygiene kits to vulnerable girls.
2. Construct or rehabilitate safe and private toilets for girls.
3. Improve access to water and handwashing facilities.
4. Promote menstrual hygiene management.
5. Increase girls' knowledge about personal hygiene and sanitation.
6. Reduce health risks associated with poor sanitation.
7. Improve privacy and dignity for adolescent girls.
8. Encourage girls to attend and remain engaged in education.
9. Raise awareness among families about girls' sanitation needs.
10. Promote long-term community ownership of sanitation facilities.

6. Target Beneficiaries

The project will prioritize girls from vulnerable and low-income families.

Proposed direct beneficiaries:

500 girls in 10 villages

Priority will be given to:

• Adolescent girls
• Girls from poor households
• Girls from brick kiln worker families
• Girls living in communities with inadequate sanitation
• Girls attending community schools
• Girls with disabilities where facilities can be made accessible
• Girls from households without safe toilets

Indirect beneficiaries will include family members, teachers, community members and other residents who benefit from improved sanitation and hygiene practices.

7. Component One: Hygiene Kits

Joy Foundation will provide hygiene kits to vulnerable girls.

A typical kit may include:

• Sanitary pads
• Bathing soap
• Handwashing soap
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Comb
• Small towel
• Nail cutter
• Underwear where appropriate
• Menstrual disposal bags
• Hygiene information materials

The exact contents will be adjusted according to the needs of the girls and available resources.

The purpose is not simply to distribute materials but also to ensure that girls understand how to use and safely dispose of hygiene products.

8. Component Two: Menstrual Hygiene Support

Menstrual hygiene will be an important part of the project.

Girls will receive age-appropriate information about:

• Menstruation
• Personal hygiene
• Safe use of menstrual products
• Changing menstrual products regularly
• Handwashing
• Safe disposal
• Cleaning and bathing
• Nutrition and hydration
• When to seek professional health advice

Girls will be encouraged to ask questions in a safe and respectful environment.

The project will work to reduce embarrassment and misinformation surrounding menstruation.

9. Component Three: Construction of Girls' Toilets

Joy Foundation proposes to construct new toilets or rehabilitate existing facilities in selected schools and community locations where there is a demonstrated need.

The toilets will be designed with girls' safety, privacy and dignity in mind.

Where feasible, facilities will include:

• Private toilet cubicles
• Lockable doors
• Adequate ventilation
• Safe flooring
• Water supply
• Handwashing facilities
• Soap
• Appropriate drainage
• Safe lighting
• Menstrual hygiene disposal arrangements
• Safe access
• Accessibility considerations where appropriate

The exact design will depend on the location, available land, existing infrastructure, local construction standards and project budget.

10. Girl-Friendly Toilet Design

The project will promote girl-friendly sanitation facilities rather than simply constructing basic toilets.

Important design considerations will include:

Privacy

Girls should be able to use the toilet without being exposed to other people.

Safety

Facilities should be located in safe and accessible areas.

Water

Water should be available for handwashing and personal hygiene.

Menstrual Hygiene

Girls should have a private place to manage menstruation and appropriate arrangements for disposal.

Lighting

Where feasible, adequate lighting should be provided, especially around entrances and access routes.

Accessibility

Where possible, facilities should consider the needs of girls with disabilities.

11. Handwashing Facilities

Each toilet facility should ideally be accompanied by an appropriate handwashing point.

The project will promote:

“Use the toilet – Wash your hands – Stay healthy.”

Girls will be taught to wash their hands at key times, particularly:

• After using the toilet
• Before eating
• Before preparing food
• After cleaning children
• After handling waste

Soap and water availability will be promoted as essential components of hygiene.

12. Hygiene Education Sessions

Joy Foundation will organize hygiene education sessions for girls and communities.

Topics may include:

Personal Hygiene

• Bathing
• Handwashing
• Oral hygiene
• Clean clothing
• Nail care

Sanitation

• Safe toilet use
• Toilet cleanliness
• Waste disposal
• Keeping surroundings clean

Menstrual Hygiene

• Menstrual cycle
• Hygiene practices
• Product use and disposal
• Privacy and dignity

Environmental Hygiene

• Clean water
• Household waste
• Drainage
• Clean surroundings

13. Parent and Community Awareness

Sustainable sanitation requires community involvement.

Joy Foundation will conduct awareness meetings with parents and community members about:

• The importance of toilets for girls
• Girls' privacy and dignity
• Menstrual hygiene
• Handwashing
• Safe water
• Household sanitation
• Proper maintenance of toilets
• Prevention of open defecation

Parents will be encouraged to support girls in maintaining good hygiene practices and using safe sanitation facilities.

14. School-Based Activities

Where project activities are implemented in schools or community education centers, Joy Foundation will work with teachers to promote a clean and supportive learning environment.

Activities may include:

• Hygiene awareness sessions
• Girls' menstrual health sessions
• Toilet cleanliness campaigns
• Handwashing demonstrations
• Emergency hygiene supplies
• Teacher orientation
• Student cleanliness activities

Teachers will be encouraged to provide respectful and confidential support to girls who experience menstrual or hygiene-related difficulties.

15. Construction Process

Joy Foundation will follow a transparent process for construction and rehabilitation activities.

Step 1 – Community Assessment

The Foundation will assess:

• Existing toilet facilities
• Number of girls using the facility
• Water availability
• Sanitation conditions
• Privacy and safety
• Existing infrastructure
• Community needs

Step 2 – Site Selection

Potential sites will be assessed for:

• Safety
• Accessibility
• Land availability
• Water access
• Drainage
• Appropriate location

Step 3 – Design and Costing

A suitable design and budget will be developed according to local conditions and project requirements.

Step 4 – Construction/Rehabilitation

Construction will be carried out using appropriate materials and qualified local workers.

Step 5 – Quality Inspection

Joy Foundation will inspect the facility before handover.

Step 6 – Community Handover

The responsible school or community group will receive responsibility for regular cleaning and maintenance.

16. Community Ownership and Maintenance

Construction alone does not guarantee sustainable sanitation.

Joy Foundation will encourage communities to establish clear responsibilities for:

• Cleaning
• Water availability
• Soap
• Minor repairs
• Waste disposal
• Menstrual hygiene disposal
• Reporting major maintenance needs

Where appropriate, a small sanitation committee or designated responsible persons may be identified.

17. Safeguarding and Protection

Because the project involves girls and potentially children, safeguarding will be integrated into all activities.

Joy Foundation will:

• Provide safe spaces for girls.
• Protect girls' privacy.
• Avoid unnecessary collection of personal information.
• Ensure appropriate supervision.
• Train staff and volunteers on safeguarding responsibilities.
• Provide confidential channels for concerns.
• Refer serious health or protection concerns to appropriate professional services.

Girls will not be required to publicly disclose personal health or menstrual information.

18. Inclusion of Girls with Disabilities

Where feasible, toilet facilities will consider the needs of girls with disabilities.

Depending on the location and budget, accessibility measures may include:

• Wider doors
• Easier access routes
• Appropriate toilet height
• Handrails
• Non-slip flooring
• Sufficient internal space

The specific design will be based on the needs of the users and the physical characteristics of each site.