Location: Mansehra Districts
Beneficiaries: 1,000,000 women and young girls

It is estimated that two million women and girls have experienced the trauma of the earthquake and they now live in tented villages or improvised shelters, facing the challenge of accessing food, water, health care, warm clothes and protection for themselves and their children. Given the extensive loss of lives and destruction of households, many people are experiencing distressing physical and emotional reactions in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

Personal hygiene is directly linked to several health problems and medical conditions. UNFPA Mobile Service Units have reported 3966 cases of Scabies largely among women, 3133 cases in Muzaffarabad and 833 in Mansehra.By addressing women’s personal hygiene needs, Scabies can be prevented and/or largely reduced.

SACHET is going to address gender specific vulnerabilities through establishing Women Friendly Space (WFS) including specific bathing spaces for women and providing psycho-social support to women and adolescent girls in camps or temporary settlements in earthquake affected areas in Mansehra districts.

WFS would provide a place for congregation, vocational training, and a safe haven for women and adolescent girls. Services provided in this space would enhance women’s capacity through awareness programmes (health, rights, etc.) and training and skill development to collectively address their needs and participate in decision making and management in recovery programmes.

Women will be encouraged to take ownership of cleaning and maintaining the bathing spaces, which can also serve as an income-generating activity for women from the camps, if they are able to charge two or three rupees per woman to bathe. Five locations have been identified in consultation with local community members in Mansehra and UNFPA office.

• Capacity Building and Advocacy
• Women Friendly Spaces (WFS)