A Story of Dignity and Hope: Transforming Sanitation in Herat Province
In the arid landscapes of Herat Province, access to safe water and sanitation has long been a daily struggle, particularly in the highly populated districts of Adraskan, Shindand, and Gulran. Adraskan lies in the southern part of the province, Shindand approximately 120 kilometers south of Herat city, and Gulran in the northwest. Despite their population density, communities in the central areas of these districts lacked safe and dignified sanitation facilities.
For years, families relied on open defecation or unsafe, makeshift toilets. These practices exposed communities to serious health risks and environmental pollution while stripping people, especially women and children, of privacy, safety, and dignity. Frequent outbreaks of diarrhea and other hygiene-related diseases were common, and women and girls often faced harassment and insecurity when forced to walk long distances at night or early dawn to relieve themselves.
Life Before the Intervention
Mr. Wali Shah, a 45-year-old resident of Adraskan District, understands these challenges deeply. He is a father of five, three boys and two girls, and supports his family of seven through agriculture and livestock farming. As the head of his household, he carried the responsibility of protecting his family’s health and safety. Yet, without access to proper sanitation, this was nearly impossible.
“Before, we lived in constant worry, about sickness, about safety, about dignity,” Wali Shah recalls. Illnesses affected his children regularly, medical expenses strained the family’s income, and his wife and daughters faced daily fear due to the lack of safe sanitation facilities.
The DAWAM Project: A Turning Point
The situation began to change with the introduction of the DAWAM Project, implemented by Action, Aid Afghanistan and funded by FCDO. The project aimed to improve Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in vulnerable communities, with strong emphasis on sustainability and community participation.
The situation began to change with the introduction of the DAWAM Project, implemented by ActionAid and funded by FCDO. The project aimed to improve access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene services in vulnerable communities through sustainable and community-centered solutions. As part of the intervention, communal toilets were constructed in accessible and secure locations across Adraskan, Shindand, and Gulran districts. Each facility was carefully designed and included separate toilet stalls for men and women, bore wells to ensure a reliable water supply, septic tanks and complete sewage systems, handwashing stations, solar-powered water pumps, electrical wiring, and all necessary equipment to ensure long-term functionality.
Following the completion of the communal toilets, visible improvements quickly emerged across all three districts. The surrounding environments became cleaner as open defecation declined, reducing contamination and improving public health conditions. Communities became more aware of hygiene practices, particularly regular handwashing, and cooperation among residents increased as they collectively took responsibility for maintaining the facilities. Most importantly, sanitation became safer and more accessible for everyone, especially women and children.
For Wali Shah and his family, the changes were both practical and deeply emotional. Cases of diarrhea among his children decreased noticeably, allowing the family to spend less on medical treatment and focus more on food, education, and livelihood needs. His wife and daughters now have access to safe and nearby toilets, eliminating the fear and risks they once faced when going outside at night. Access to clean and private sanitation has restored a strong sense of dignity and confidence, enabling the family to participate more fully in social life and host guests without embarrassment.
The environmental impact has also been significant. With reduced open defecation, soil and water sources are less contaminated, benefiting both public health and agricultural activities. Children are growing up with improved hygiene habits, ensuring that the positive changes will continue. For Wali Shah, these improvements represent more than convenience; they symbolize security and hope. As he reflects, he says that he now feels truly able to protect his family and provide them with a healthier and safer life.