Universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and adequate hygiene services is essential for the socio-economic development of the community, particularly for women and children. 

Transmission of diseases, malnutrition, lost educational opportunities, and risk of sexual assault due to lack of access to clean water, poor sanitation and hygiene directly impact health and socio-economic development. WASH has a profound socio-economic impact, particularly for women and girls. Safe and readily available water, good hygiene practices, and basic sanitation facilities are important for public health and play a crucial role in reducing the spread of diseases.

With a large population in India still lacking basic sanitation facilities, open defecation has become a major health risk, especially for children who become susceptible to malnutrition, stunted growth, pneumonia, and diarrheal illnesses. It exposes women and girls to the danger of physical attack and rape as they often have to wait until dark to relieve themselves. It is of paramount importance to have functioning, safe, and sex-segregated toilets.

To ensure water, sanitation and hygiene for all, people-centred and community-led program interventions like access to clean, safe and reliable water, construction of toilets, promotion of hygiene, WASH in schools, awareness sessions, participatory discussions, and street plays are implemented. These programs seek to save lives, prevent diseases, promote dignity, support access to better living conditions, and enhance livelihood opportunities.