The INWISE Scale
Development Project
Advancing water, sanitation, and hygiene services in schools and healthcare facilities through user-centered tools
OUR MISSION
Reliable access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene is essential for the health, dignity, and productivity of students, patients, and staff in schools and healthcare facilities. The Institutional Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Experiences (INWISE) Project aims to develop tools that measure whether this fundamental human right is being realized.
In partnership with practitioners, researchers, and WASH advocates worldwide, we are piloting user-centered surveys across diverse settings to ensure that the resultant INWISE Scales are globally applicable and produce comparable results. These surveys capture how individuals access and use WASH services, providing actionable insights that go beyond supply-side metrics — evidence that is critical for guiding strategies to ensure that WASH services are acceptable and accessible to all.
User-centered
Supply-side measures assess whether WASH facilities exist, but not whether they meet people’s needs. The INWISE Scales close this gap by capturing the lived experiences of students, patients, and staff – revealing whether WASH services are functional, accessible, and sufficient for all.
Globally applicable
Comparable indicators help school leaders and health providers see how their facilities measure up and pinpoint areas for improvement. The INWISE Scales enable such comparisons across diverse environments, yielding results that are both locally meaningful and globally relevant.
Actionable insights
The INWISE Scales are easy to use, produce data that diverse audiences can readily understand, and uncover the drivers of WASH insecurity – from broken infrastructure to social barriers. Results can guide decisions at every level, from day-to-day facility management to national policy.
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