45 schools in the Suva-Nausori area will benefit from new washrooms as part of a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiative by the Fiji and Australian government.
In a statement, the Australian High Commission says the investment should directly benefit approximately 30,000 students, and bring them into compliance with the Ministry of Education’s Minimum Standards on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools Infrastructure (2012).
They say this will decrease the risk of infection and absenteeism among students – an issue that is felt most acutely by female students where poor WASH facilities limit the ability to balance education with menstrual hygiene management.
The initiative, which was launched today, is part of Australia’s broader Fiji Social Infrastructure Program (FSIP) under the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership.
