PARTICIPATORY PRODUCT DESIGN + PUBLIC HEALTH

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During 2023 + 2024 , Traction collaborated with the University of Washington, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel Hospital and residents of Baluwa, Panchal on two projects that integrated product design and health promotion.  The Health, Hygeine and Clean Water project built upon community articulated priorities to promote hygiene behavior change, improve the quality of household drinking water and reduce the risk of water-borne disease. It involved the co-creation of health/hygiene/clean water training materials, a series of training workshops that culminated in a community-led ‘Health, Hygiene and Clean Water’ fair and the distribution of ceramic disc water filters throughout Baluwa. The Women’s Skills and Health project involved the co-creation of products, such as mestrual pads, and cloth diapers and promotional materials for related health topics such as menstrual hygiene and port-partum depression. Co-creation and skill-based training workshops culminated in a  ‘Women’s Skills and Health’ fair and the distribution of sewing machines and other equipment needed for product fabrication.