More Than Toilets: iDE's Work on Menstrual Health and Climate Resilience in Cambodia

Reay Sean, a sanitation sales agent with iDE's climate-resilient program in Siem Reap, Cambodia, educates communities on essential sanitation and menstrual health.

(Photo: iDE Cambodia/ Tet Chan)

“Children being at risk of sexual abuse and menstruation management are the most important topics when talking with households along the Tonle Sap Lake. It is a real problem for their daughters who have periods. It is hard for them to handle how to keep themselves clean and ensure their personal privacy, and deal with waste,” reflects Reay Sean, a sanitation and toilet sales agent in Siem Reap province, on the challenges faced by girls in accessing menstrual health and hygiene (MHH). Sean is part of iDE Cambodia’s team, focusing on delivering climate-resilient sanitation solutions to the most vulnerable households.

In the rural communities of Siem Reap, particularly in the seasonally flooded areas near Tonle Sap Lake, families face significant climate risks. These conditions create substantial challenges, especially for women and girls managing their menstrual health and hygiene (MHH). Millions in Asia and the Pacific lack access to essential MHH necessities, such as menstrual products, clean water, and sanitation facilities. The World Bank estimates at least 500 million women and girls globally lack access to the sanitation facilities they need to manage their periods. This lack of access severely impacts the well-being, education, and social participation of women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

“It is a real problem for their daughters who have periods. It is hard for them to handle how to keep themselves clean and ensure their personal privacy, and deal with waste.”

Reay Sean (iDE Cambodia) on the issues faced by girls in communities living around the flood-prone Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia

Building demand for affordable, climate-resilient sanitation through education and behaviour change messaging is a cornerstone of iDE’s work in rural Cambodia. As a sales agent for iDE Cambodia’s Water for Women-funded Climate-Resilient WASH program, Sean’s mission is clear: to deliver crucial sanitation and health messages to the most marginalised households. “Each day my mission is to sell sanitation solutions to poor rural households. I am very motivated because through my work I talk and explain to them the sanitation problems and solutions that bring about real change and ensure health benefits for rural people, especially small children, women, and older people who are the most vulnerable groups,” she says.

Sean believes that direct conversations with marginalised groups about sanitation, handwashing, and menstrual hygiene are key drivers of positive and healthy behaviour change. She strategically frames her conversations around the real problems each family faces. “Before introducing any specific sanitation solution to each family, I start a conversation by letting the families share any problems they are facing... Once I learn about their key issues, I then explain to them all the possible solutions, its benefits and how they can buy a toilet.”

“I am very motivated because through my work I talk and explain to them the sanitation problems and solutions that bring about real change and ensure health benefits for rural people, especially small children, women, and older people, who are the most vulnerable groups.”

Reay Sean, Sanitation Sales Agent, iDE Cambodia

Sean focuses her discussions on these challenges and helps connect households with affordable, aspirational, and resilient solutions—such as improved latrines suitable for challenging environments. By compassionately addressing the individual challenges faced by these households, she not only helps improve their immediate circumstances but also contributes to the broader goal of enhancing community health through improved sanitation coverage.

By prioritising education and open communication about MHH in rural Cambodian households, iDE empowers women, and gender diverse people to manage their periods safely, hygienically, and with dignity. Ultimately, fostering healthier and more resilient communities for everyone.