Millions of girls and women walk for hours to collect water every day. Water provision is considered female’s responsibility in rural areas. According to WHO, 2.1 billion people lack safe drinking water and more than twice lack safe sanitation. Unsafe drinking water has claimed lives of millions by spreading diarrhea and intestinal diseases. Stunting is becoming very common in children due to lack of safe drinking water and poor hygienic conditions.
Pak Mission Society is playing its role in making societies better by implementing the “WASH Project” in Umerkot, Sindh. Umerkot district is ranked as a water scarce region due to arid geography and dry climate. The area also holds significance from a peace and social cohesion perspective.
The society is becoming intolerant towards other religions. Women, particularly from the minority are subject to violence and discrimination, theirn needs are neither protected, nor are they allowed to equally participate in society due to the changing social environment. The project aims to enhance the quality of life by provision of hand pumps, construction of communal latrines as well as health and hygiene promotion. Social cohesion will become stronger with the use of communal services. Local ownership and participation is ensured through the formation of village development committees (VDCs) and Operational and Maintenance (O&M) committees.
