Today, almost half of the world’s population lacks access to safely managed sanitation and one in four women worldwide cannot manage their menstruation safely and with dignity.
At the UN’s Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF), we believe that improved access to sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health is not only a basic human right, but a key to unlocking potential for all individuals, especially women and girls.
SHF works with countries, public and private partners to develop national sanitation economies and menstrual health markets through catalytic financing and create lasting, sustainable impact. With an initial footprint in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda, SHF is planning to scale its innovative approach in West Africa and Asia.
By prioritizing investments in next generation sanitation and menstrual health markets, SHF creates a ripple effect of positive change. When communities have access to proper sanitation facilities, they are more resilient to climate-related challenges and can thrive economically. When women and girls are able to manage their menstruation safely, they can fully engage in school, in the workplace, and in their communities.
Read more about our approach here
Today, roughly 613 million women and girls in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) rely on non-purpose made materials such as toilet paper, rags to manage their menstruation. SHF's global initiative, Capital M, is designed to unlock thriving menstrual health markets and deliver lasting impact for millions of women and girls.
Together with governments, entrepreneurs and funders, we are making the menstrual health market viable, investible and sustainable.
Visit our Capital M website here.
SHF's 2023 Annual Report titled ‘Building Sanitation Economies and Menstrual Health Markets for a Sustainable Future’ looks back at a year of scaling up solutions, partnerships and impact for sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health.
Since 2021, SHF has been working with public and private partners to transform sanitation economies and menstrual health markets, thanks to the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Switzerland. From providing technical assistance on sector reform to shaping markets and building scalable solutions, SHF has been driving greater investment into sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health to catalyze real change and pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
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SHF is funded by the generous contributions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Switzerland. It is a part of UNOPS.
