In December 2019, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei, China. COVID-19 has spread rapidly across the world affecting various families and communities. Stringent measures such as the imposition of nationwide lockdowns have led to severe economic and social consequences, especially for low-income countries like the Philippines. Moreover, these measures increased vulnerabilities of different communities and families due to lack of access to health and basic services.

To mitigate the transmission and high number of COVID-19 cases, the government imposed several health protocols with corresponding sanctions for violators. However, despite the existence of such protocols as well as a massive information campaign by the government, there was still an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases especially in Metro Manila, its adjacent provinces and other provinces across the country.

The continuous challenge posed by COVID-19 prompted international and non-government organizations, in addition to the national government, to introduce projects with interventions, such as those increasing the knowledge of and improving practices on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). WASH is viewed to be highly influential in lessening the transmission of COVID-19, especially in vulnerable communities.

The Hygiene Behavioural Change Coalition (HBCC) project implemented by Oxfam in the Philippines aimed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and decrease the pandemic's negative impact on gender norms, through sustained improvement in hygiene and health behaviours, and promotion of equal distribution of hygiene and hygiene-related care work among men and women. The project was implemented in the municipalities of Lawaan and Quinapondan in Eastern Samar and the municipalities of Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Sultan Sa Barongis in Maguindanao from July 2020 to March 2021. Construction of handwashing facilities, training of Mum’s Magic Hands (MMH) champions, and information awareness campaigns were among the project’s interventions.