Although lack of latrines and poor hygiene affects both girls and boys, the poor sanitation conditions at schools have a greater negative impact on girls. In case of disease of other family members, girls are more likely to be kept at home to help out. This results in a reduced attendance of girls and can even lead girls to drop out as early as the primary school level. In many countries girls have a greater need for, and attach greater importance to, sanitation facilities. Due the lack of separate facilities and privacy for girls, girls can be forced out of schools.
Children are agents for change.
By focusing on school-aged children, giving them tools and knowledge to change behaviours today, future generations will be better prepared to care for their families and communities own health, water resources, and environmental sanitation. Schools are a stimulating learning environment for children and initiate change. As gender relates to roles, responsibilities and rights that are largely engendered by cultural and socio-economic environment at home and in the family, schools are vital in a process of sustainable change of gender relations. Through education a basis can be laid for girls and boys to change these gender relations in the advantage of all at the time they are grown up.