Catalyzing Finance to Transform Sanitation and Menstrual Health Markets

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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

 

 
Read our latest news below
 
Discover Capital M, SHF's market-led moonshot for menstrual health

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 Annual Report 2024 coming soon!

As the global context shifts decidedly toward a reappraisal of financing for development, SHF’s latest Annual Report to be published in coming days will showcase how pioneering approaches like Next Generation Sanitation and Capital M can transform access to sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health. By turning them into investment opportunities, we can foster the sustainability that traditional approaches have failed to deliver in the sector.

Through a focus on our work in partner countries like Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda, SHF's Annual Report 2024 will demonstrate how driving financial innovation can drive increased investment in sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health, and support job creation and economic growth to move the needle on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 6.2.

Stay tuned for the full report.

Read our previous Annual Reports here

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SHF is funded by the generous contributions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Switzerland and the Gates Foundation. It is a part of UNOPS.