In Afghanistan, listen to those who know

This is an excerpt from an article that was published in the April issue of Solidarity International’s magazine. The original article in French can be accessed at this link.

They manage water, hygiene, and family health, yet they too often remain invisible in humanitarian decisions. In Afghanistan, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL champions a simple conviction: without women, aid misses the mark. The Women in WASH initiative¹ provides concrete proof of this. 

Water, hygiene, survival: a women's issue

In Afghanistan, it is the women who carry the burden of daily life. They fetch water, manage its use, and take care of hygiene in the home, for the children, and for the sick. Yet, when a humanitarian program is designed, their voice is still too rarely taken into account. 

The consequences are immediate: water points too far away, latrines poorly lit and dangerous at night. Spaces lacking privacy, unsuitable for women's lives. During periods of forced displacement or crisis, these deficiencies further expose women and girls to insecurity and a loss of dignity.  

“Even in emergency situations, integrating women is not an option. It is a non-negotiable necessity. “

Rayhana Karim, Program Manager for SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL

Menstrual health: a particularly strong taboo

In many rural areas, due to a lack of resources, taboos, and information, the majority of women use pieces of cloth. Some, based on unfounded beliefs, don't dare wash or take painkillers during their periods. The consequences are unsurprising: infections, chronic pain, and gynecological complications, which add to absenteeism in already precarious educational paths.  

In response to this, Afghan women who can are taking action. Zala Ahmad co-founded a social enterprise, SafePath Prosperity, which manufactures washable sanitary pads in Kabul and Kandahar. This provides economic security for its 200 employees, and the company partners with SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL to deliver these essential products to women who lack access to them. It also develops training programs to break down taboos, because: "Doing nothing, under the pretext that menstruation is a sensitive subject, only exacerbates suffering. " 

Women in WASH: Putting women back at the heart of the solutions

It is within this framework that the Women in WASH  initiative, led by SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL, was born. It aims to place women as experts at the heart of humanitarian aid programs in water, hygiene, and sanitation — a first in Afghanistan. Professionals like Zala and Sameera are therefore joining forces to better address women's needs. 

How can women be involved in community decision-making? In sectors where women are not allowed to work in NGOs, how can women be reached? What issues do men not address when defining water, hygiene, and sanitation needs amongst themselves? With this initiative, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL aims to bring about lasting change in practices.  

“Integrating women into humanitarian programs is neither a luxury nor an abstract struggle,” insists Rayhana Karim. “It is an essential condition for more effective, more dignified, and more sustainable aid. ” Because listening to those who know is already a better way to act. 

With the participation of the Crisis and Support Centre of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. 

¹ WASH: Water, hygiene and sanitation