WaterAid Pakistan

WaterAid Pakistan WaterAid is a not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation.

Break the Taboo!Managing menstruation should never mean hiding discomfort or relying on unhygienic practices.Using clean...
18/05/2026

Break the Taboo!
Managing menstruation should never mean hiding discomfort or relying on unhygienic practices.

Using clean and hygienic sanitary pads, along with regular stain checks and timely changing of absorbents, helps girls and women manage their periods safely, comfortably, and confidently.

Menstrual hygiene is about health, dignity, and informed practices, not embarrassment.

WaterAid UK WaterAid Sverige WaterAid America WaterAid Canada UN Women UN Women Pakistan World Health Organization (WHO) Menstrual Hygiene Day - Global Women Development Department Sindh Women Development Department Punjab WatSan Cell

Sumandra Chano, a 28-year-old Community Resource Person (CRP) from Umeedo Kohli village in Badin, remembers a time when ...
16/05/2026

Sumandra Chano, a 28-year-old Community Resource Person (CRP) from Umeedo Kohli village in Badin, remembers a time when talking about hygiene or menstruation felt impossible.

“There were only two toilets in the village, and most families were still practicing open defecation,” she recalls.

Women rarely spoke during sessions, and topics like menstrual health were hidden in silence and stigma.

Over the last three years, Sumandra has become a powerful voice for change in her community. Through awareness sessions, door-to-door engagement, and support from WaterAid, she helped lead Umeedo Kohli to become an Open Defecation Free (ODF) village.

“We didn’t just stop open defecation. We changed the way our community thinks about dignity, hygiene, and what women can lead,” she says proudly.

Today, women openly discuss menstrual hygiene, children promote cleanliness at home, and families prioritise sanitation with pride. Sumandra has also inspired her younger sister and many other women to step forward as leaders in their communities. Her dream is to make Umeedo Kohli a model village where every girl grows up believing she can speak, lead, and create change.

Through local leadership and community-driven action, WaterAid Pakistan is supporting women like Sumandra to transform attitudes around hygiene, health, and dignity. Their efforts are improving sanitation practices and creating lasting social change led by women at the grassroots level.

WaterAid UK WaterAid America WaterAid Sverige WaterAid Canada UN Women UN Women Pakistan Menstrual Hygiene Day - Global Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP) Media World Health Organization (WHO)

Break the Taboo!Menstruation should never be a reason to exclude girls and women from social life, community activities,...
14/05/2026

Break the Taboo!
Menstruation should never be a reason to exclude girls and women from social life, community activities, or everyday experiences.

With proper menstrual hygiene management, access to absorbents, and appropriate pain management when needed, women and girls can continue participating in daily routines, social gatherings, education, and community activities with comfort and confidence.

Periods are a natural part of life, not a limitation.

WaterAid UK WaterAid Canada WaterAid America WaterAid Sverige UN Women UN Women Pakistan World Health Organization (WHO) Menstrual Hygiene Day - Global Women Development Department Sindh Women Development Department Punjab WatSan Cell

Break the Taboo!Many girls and women are often discouraged from using sanitary pads because of affordability challenges,...
13/05/2026

Break the Taboo!
Many girls and women are often discouraged from using sanitary pads because of affordability challenges, stigma, and misinformation around menstrual hygiene.

But safe and hygienic menstrual products play an important role in protecting health, preventing infections, and helping girls and women manage their periods with comfort, dignity, and confidence.

Periods are not shameful. Silence and stigma are.

WaterAid UK WaterAid America WaterAid Sverige WaterAid Canada Menstrual Hygiene Day - Global UN Women UN Women Pakistan Women Development Department Sindh World Health Organization (WHO) WatSan Cell

06/05/2026

In District Lodhran’s “5 Marla Scheme", over 700 households are still relying on unsafe, contaminated water for their daily needs, putting their health and lives at constant risk.

For many communities, this has been the reality for decades, passed on from one generation to the next without access to clean drinking water.

But WaterAid Pakistan is working to make a difference, bringing clean water closer to home and improving lives in some villages of District Lodhran.

Expanding this change is critical. Because for women and girls especially, access to clean water means dignity, less daily burden, and a pathway toward greater equality and empowerment.

Na’eem Raza, WaterAid’s advisor, visits these communities, witnessing both the urgent need and the impact of change.

WaterAid UK WaterAid Canada WaterAid Sverige
WaterAid America Doaba Foundation UN-Water

On International Labour Day, we honour the hands that build more than just structures, they build dignity, health, and h...
01/05/2026

On International Labour Day, we honour the hands that build more than just structures, they build dignity, health, and hope.

From laying pipelines to constructing decent toilets and ensuring clean water reaches everyone, countless workers power the change we see in schools, healthcare facilities, and communities every day.

Their hard work doesn’t just create infrastructure; it transforms lives.

Today, we salute the resilience, dedication, and quiet strength of every worker making clean water, sanitation, and hygiene a reality for all.

Kashif Raza Mangi, Additional Deputy Commissioner posted in Badin, works on the frontlines of one of Sindh’s most flood-...
30/04/2026

Kashif Raza Mangi, Additional Deputy Commissioner posted in Badin, works on the frontlines of one of Sindh’s most flood-prone districts. From saline water intrusion to canal breaches and seasonal flooding, emergencies are a constant reality.

"Whenever there is an emergency, the Deputy Commissioner’s Office becomes the coordination point,” he shares, highlighting how critical water and sanitation are for both public health and disaster response.

As the district’s coordination lead during crises, Kashif Raza oversees rapid response efforts to ensure communities have access to safe water and basic services.

“Water becomes the first and biggest need during these situations,” he explains.

His experience emphasises the necessity of strengthening WASH systems not just for development, but as a core part of disaster preparedness and resilience.

Recognising the unique challenges of coastal districts like Badin, he emphasises the need for context-specific solutions. “What works in one place does not always work here,” he notes, pointing to the impacts of salinity and soil erosion on infrastructure.

Through improved coordination and district adaptation planning, efforts are being made to ensure solutions are sustainable, aligned, and responsive to local realities.

WaterAid Pakistan continues to work closely with district governments to build climate-resilient WASH systems. As Kashif Raza puts it, “It becomes an ecosystem, not just a one-time project”, a vision that reflects the importance of long-term partnerships in creating safer, healthier, and more resilient communities.

WaterAid UK WaterAid Sverige Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP) Media Sindh Government Sindh Information Department

Muhammad Abbas, a 46-year-old farmer from Shewa village in District Swabi, once considered cleanliness a low priority in...
27/04/2026

Muhammad Abbas, a 46-year-old farmer from Shewa village in District Swabi, once considered cleanliness a low priority in his daily life. But after attending an awareness session conducted by WaterAid in collaboration with IRSP Pakistan, something shifted.

“I came home and immediately cleaned the washroom,” he recalls, a small action that marked the beginning of a powerful transformation.

Through Community Champion training, Abbas deepened his understanding of the link between water, sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition.

Today, he not only maintains cleanliness in his home and hujra but also promotes handwashing, safe waste disposal, and hygiene practices within his community. What was once cleaned monthly is now maintained several times a week, indicating a lasting change in behaviour.

This shift has brought visible improvements. Abbas and his family now practice proper hygiene daily, leading to fewer illnesses and a healthier home. His children actively participate, and his efforts have inspired others in the village to follow suit, turning his hujra into a hub for awareness and action.

The project, known as Increase Gains in Nutrition by Integration, Education, Evaluation & Empowerment (IGNIT3), is funded by the Government of Canada through Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada and led by SickKids Centre for Global Child Health, in collaboration with WaterAid and Nutrition International, empowering community members like Abbas to become local champions for WASH and nutrition.

By building awareness and leadership at the grassroots level, the initiative is creating ripple effects of sustainable behaviour change.

WaterAid UK WaterAid Canada High Commission of Canada in Pakistan Health Department, KP World Health Organization (WHO)

Ayesha, a student of class 9 in Karachi, once found going to school difficult, not because of studies, but due to the la...
23/04/2026

Ayesha, a student of class 9 in Karachi, once found going to school difficult, not because of studies, but due to the lack of basic water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

With no separate toilets for girls, unreliable water supply, and little awareness about hygiene or menstrual health, many girls felt uncomfortable and sometimes even missed school.

Things began to change when WaterAid Pakistan under its WASH in schools initiative, constructed a girls-friendly toilet block in her school. It has everything, clean toilets, handwashing stations with soap, dustbins for sanitary pads, and even mirrors inside the toilets helping the girls check their clothes and feel confident.

Today, Ayesha and her classmates feel safer, healthier, and more confident in school. Attendance has improved, and girls are now more focused on their education and well-being.

Ayesha dreams of becoming a teacher one day, determined to support and empower other girls to learn, grow, and believe in themselves.

WaterAid UK WaterAid America WaterAid Canada WaterAid Sverige UN Women UN Women Pakistan School Education & Literacy Department, Government of Sindh UN-Water DevCon - An Association for Rural Development

Meet Allah Ditta Anjum, a 58-year-old dedicated community health worker from District Lodhran, Punjab Province. In his c...
22/04/2026

Meet Allah Ditta Anjum, a 58-year-old dedicated community health worker from District Lodhran, Punjab Province. In his community, access to safe and inclusive sanitation was long overlooked, especially for elderly people and persons with disabilities.

For Allah Ditta, this wasn’t just an inconvenience; it was a matter of dignity.

Known for his years of service in vaccinations, Allah Ditta chose to raise his voice beyond clinics. Through local newspapers and community platforms, he highlighted the daily struggles faced by those who could not access basic sanitation facilities.

“It's not just about complaints. It's about dignity. People with disabilities deserve more than sympathy; they deserve ramps, clean toilets, and safe access.”

His persistence is beginning to shift mindsets. Today, some clinics in his area have introduced ramps and improved facilities, making them more inclusive for all.

His daughter now carries this mission forward as a member of the District Women WASH Forum in Lodhran, while Allah Ditta continues to stand as a strong ally, raising awareness in schools and walking alongside his community for change.

WaterAid UK WaterAid Canada Doaba Foundation Govt of Punjab Health Department Punjab Punjab Health Reforms

In Village Muhammad Saleh, Badin, Abdul Sattar, 58, has witnessed his home transform from a lush, thriving landscape int...
17/04/2026

In Village Muhammad Saleh, Badin, Abdul Sattar, 58, has witnessed his home transform from a lush, thriving landscape into one increasingly shaped by climate change. As a child, he walked to school under the shade of trees that no longer exist today. What was once a village rich in greenery and life now faces rising temperatures, disappearing biodiversity, and growing environmental stress.

Over the years, floods and water scarcity have disrupted lives and livelihoods. The devastating floods of 2012 and again in 2024 were turning points for the community.

Drawing on local solutions, Abdul Sattar raised his home on a platform inspired by improved sanitation models by WaterAid, helping protect his family during recent disasters. Across the village, more families are adopting similar approaches to stay safe.

Despite ongoing challenges, including limited access to safe drinking water and declining agricultural productivity, Abdul Sattar remains hopeful.

“People in our village may not understand the term ‘climate change', but they feel its effects every day,” he says.

His children are pursuing education, and seeing his daughter ride a bike is a source of pride and possibility.

WaterAid UK Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP) Media Sindh Government Sindh Information Department UN Climate Change Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan

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Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
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Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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