Women-Led WASH and NTD Empowerment in Bihar

Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices increase the risk of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) such as leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF), particularly affecting women and marginalised communities.

To address this, LEPRA Society implemented the Jagruti Project in Bihar in 2021 with support from Hope Rises International (HRL). Jagruti is a women-led initiative that places women affected by leprosy and LF at the forefront of community mobilisation, disease prevention, and local advocacy through a strong water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) approach.