COVID-19 Support for Adolescent Girls

In many communities, traditional gender norms require women to be responsible for family health. As primary caretakers, women are most vulnerable to contracting diseases like COVID-19 when it spreads. Women are also suffering in this pandemic due to a sharp uptick in gender-based violence, and those residing in the villages targeted for this project are no exception. Soap-making activities will not only support COVID-19 protection and prevention objectives but will also create an opportunity for income generation amongst the population most at risk of economic hardship and abuse during the crisis – females. This process also opens a window for the integration of messaging on hygiene and preventative measures, including the importance of social distancing, handwashing, and mask-wearing, as well as protection messaging.