Handwashing Behaviour Change: Learning from Water for Women

This learning brief consolidates and analyses approaches and lessons learnt with regard to improving handwashing behaviours across the 20 Water for Women civil society organisation (CSO) projects in 15 countries. It is based on a rapid scan of the secondary sources available from Water for Women projects, including mid-term reviews, knowledge and learning products, and project reporting. The brief describes strategies partners have adopted to improve handwashing with soap (HWS).

Examples include evidence and data collection with knowledge partners at various levels. The brief also examines social and cultural factors that influence HWS behaviour change. Finally, the brief reports on Water for Women partners’ successful initiatives to promote handwashing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.