#GirlStrong is a rallying cry to stand behind women and girls who live without clean water and toilets.

Today, on International Women’s Day, WaterAid is launching #GirlStrong, a campaign that takes aim at how women and girls are disproportionally prevented from leading healthy, educated and fulfilling lives due to the lack of clean water, safe toilets and hygiene.

A lack of safe water, proper toilets and good hygiene affects women and girls most. Girls often begin collecting unsafe water as children and continue to collect and carry water throughout their lives.

Many girls spend six hours a day collecting water there often just isn’t time to go to school much. Those that do go often drop out when they start to menstruate because there isn’t anywhere to keep clean.

Photo by WaterAid/Habibul Haque

Without a safe, private place to go to the toilet, many women only go at night, when the risk of assault, sexual harassment or animal attacks is increased. This is the daily reality of life for many women in developing countries.

Imagine delivering a baby in a health facility without water, or sending your 11-year-old daughter out before dawn to climb treacherous hillside paths with a heavy jerry can to fetch dirty water before she can go to school.

Over the coming month, WaterAid will share stories of the struggle women face they lack access to toilets and clean water.

Photo by Jason van Bruggen, 2015

For more information on how you can help, visit the campaign site: www.wateraidcanada.com/girlstrong