Woodland's support to UNICEF's WASH programme enters fourth year

The world's leading manufacturer of extreme weather outdoor gear, Woodland, has extended its support to UNICEF's WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programme for fourth year with former already having inspired its employees and customers to raise Rs. 15 million for the noble cause.

Woodland's Managing Director Harikirat Singh along with UNICEF Uttar Pradesh team members visited rural primary schools in Mirzapur to see the ongoing WASH projects in the district.

The programme has helped to improve the access of over one lakh children to basic hygiene, sanitation and water facilities in remote communities and more than 500 schools across the country.

Singh said that Woodland shares UNICEF's deep commitment to improving the lives and well-being of children and young people around the world.

"We are united by a conviction that access to clean drinking water and sanitation is a fundamental building block for the development of children and their societies. We are proud that with the support from our customers and employees, the Woodland and UNICEF partnership has positively affected the lives of children," he said.

UNICEF Uttar Pradesh's Chief of Field Office, Niloufar Pourzand, said that the UNICEF and Woodland partnership supports the goal of institutionalising hand washing systems, and supporting safe, sustainable water supplies in schools.

"When you integrate critical behaviors such as hand washing and use of toilets, in the daily routine of children in schools, you can bring amazing results for children. Evidence shows that access to functional and separate toilets for girls and boys can sharply impact enrolment and retention of children in schools, especially girls," Pourzand said.

In 2006, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj listed Mirzapur as one of the country's 250 most- backward districts. Mirzapur, in addition to falling under the low human development index, faces one of the

highest open defecation rates.

The district has thus been chosen as one of the priority districts for implementing WASH programmes.