WASHETHON
Running for Health, Hygiene, and Dignity
On September 15, 2024, the shadow of the historic Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur witnessed a historic shift. Ladli Foundation organised WaSHETHON, India’s largest-ever marathon dedicated to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH). Over 10,000 young people took to the streets not just to run, but to demand a cleaner, safer, and more dignified future for every citizen.
WHY WE RUN
For many, WaSH is about pipes and filters. For Ladli Foundation, it is about Privacy and Education.
Keeping Girls in School : Lack of clean toilets is a major reason girls drop out of school. By promoting WaSH, we are ensuring girls can complete their education with dignity.
Health as a Right : Clean water and hygiene are the first lines of defense against poverty. A healthy family is a resilient family.
Breaking the Silence : This marathon turned taboo topics like menstrual hygiene into a public conversation led by the youth.
EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS
A Youth-Led Revolution : 10,000+ students and young activists joined the movement, proving that the next generation is ready to lead the charge for a cleaner India.
Unified Leadership : The event was flagged off by Sh. Sivananda Patil (Cabinet Minister, Karnataka), alongside top District officials (IAS & IPS), signaling a powerful partnership between the government and the people.
Cultural Pride meets Social Change : Holding the event at Gol Gumbaz connected Bijapur’s glorious heritage with a modern mission to improve the lives of its most vulnerable residents.
Media & Awareness : The massive scale of the event captured national attention, putting Bijapur on the map as a leader in community-driven health initiatives.
