Posts tagged international

Welcome to the wH2O website!

wH2O is a brand-new initiative at the University of Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Philadelphia Global Water Initiative, to provide a centralized location for research on global women and water/sanitation issues.  We are publishing an academic journal in May 2012 (see our submit button to submit an abstract now!) and running a blog.

wH2O was started to harness the academic resources at Penn to join forces with businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and governments to bring this issue to the forefront of development and aid discussions. wH2O aims to consolidate and analyze information from the considerable efforts being done in this arena globally by Coca-Cola, USAID, Care, NetWWater, UN-FEM, and more.

Worldwide, women are tasked with gathering water, often carrying water long distances for many hours a day. Even in areas with piped water, intermittent and unpredictable supply means women must wait around and cannot work or go to school. Girls often drop out of school when they reach puberty due to a lack of latrines (and other factors). 

We believe investing in providing well-designed, women-friendly water and sanitation access is an extremely effective way to elevate the status of women worldwide.  Access to water and sanitation means that women can stay in school or learn a trade.  It gives them options and dignity.

This blog will host pieces from everyone from students to business representatives.  Submit your post today!