UNICEF Breaking Barriers to Girls' Education: Chad

In Chad's Logone Oriental Province, access to safe water and latrines was a major challenge for refugee, returnee, and indigenous pupils in the 42 schools targeted by the "Breaking Barriers to Girls' Education" project. Lack of water and toilets means poor hygiene and sanitation conditions, but above all, the difficulty of managing menstrual hygiene for young girls. The Government of Canada and UNICEF have implemented strategies in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to promote sanitation in schools. In Goré, for example, schools and communities have been trained in the maintenance and proper use of hygiene and sanitation facilities. Also, 78 blocks with 3 latrine cubicles have been built in the schools, and materials such as soap and hand-washing facilities have also been made available. In addition, to support children in this often-arduous task, more than a hundred primary and secondary school teachers received capacity building in hygiene education and menstrual hygiene management. These teachers in turn taught the adolescent students, using the modules, manuals, and teaching aids provided to them.