Around the world, women and girls are disproportionately affected by lack of access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.
In Papua New Guinea, only 40% of people have access to safe drinking water, one of the lowest rates in the Pacific Islands. Women and girls of school age generally assume the burden of water collection for their families.
The World Bank is supporting the Papua New Guinea Government improve access to clean water in towns like Bialla in West New Britian and Bulolo in Morobe Province. The PNG Water Supply and Sanitation Development Project is funded through the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the world’s most in-need countries.