Access to Proper WASH Services

A series of posters raising awareness around the large impact access to clean water has on a girl’s education.

Millions of people die each year from contaminated water-related diseases, disproportionately affecting children. These illnesses take away from a child’s ability to concentrate in class or even attend school at all. Many girls do not feel comfortable using a bathroom, especially once they reach puberty, if the facility is not private and single-sex. Different cultural stigmas and norms have led to hostile learning environments for this reason. As it is the woman’s responsibility to collect water in many cultures, many girls must drop out of school to support their families. Providing access to proper WASH services has been crucial in supporting SDG 4 and 6 and investing in female education.

Artist

Kathryn Hodakowski (2020)

On the left, back side of little girl in pigtails wearing a backpack. On the right, silhouette of woman holding a bucket over her head.
Cup of water showing types of waterborne illnesses.
With proper access to WASH, graduation rates doubled for girls in a rural Ugandan village. Image depicts female graduates thinking about future career paths.
Only 53% of schools in Sub-Saharan Africa have single-sex bathrooms, leaving girls vulnerable and without privacy. Image depicts a girl worrying about going to the bathroom.

Artist Lens

This series of posters was made with the purpose of not only raising awareness around the large impact access to clean water has on a girl’s education but to encourage schools and policymakers to support all their students. Female education and graduation rates are strongly correlated to whether she has access to proper WASH services. I decided to use posters to convey certain emotions and images related to the emotional and psychological effects these challenges can have on girls. These posters were made to emphasize the multiple ways in which water can impact a girl’s success.

Media

Digital

Download Access to Proper WASH Services PDF