Equal Aqua is an award-winning, CIO dedicated to fostering transformative change in Uganda by addressing inequalities in access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). At the heart of their mission lies the conviction that equal access to WASH education and facilities are the cornerstone of empowerment.
Founded in 2020, they champion youth-led development and WASH equality, focusing on empowering marginalised groups – particularly young women, girls, people with disabilities, and displaced populations (refugees).
The Trust is providing funding to tackle WASH inequality in Bunambutye Resettlement Camp, Uganda, housing approximately 4,500 people displaced by climate change. Limited access to clean water affects the entire community, but young women and girls bear a disproportionate burden, often spending up to two hours daily fetching water. This project will improve health, education, and livelihoods for 750 young people in the Camp, with a focus on young women and girls, through WASH knowledge, skills, and advocacy training.
The project is moving towards its targets. It has identified the 750 young people in the Camp to educate and train on WASH. Six sessions have been run covering safe water handling and household hygiene, four on menstrual hygiene and management (MHM) related issues and three on community engagement. A baseline survey and follow ups demonstrate that there is an average 35% improvement across and WASH and MHM issues. Twelve youth-led awareness sessions reached an estimated 1,800 Camp residents and a youth-led initiative resulted in improved cleanliness in the camp latrines. Further follow up will take place at the end of the project but the interim evaluation pointed towards the need for improved supplies of soap and MHN products, a better water supply for the Camp and persisting cultural barriers around menstruation.