Day 2 of the workshop has started. We have lots to share. Stay informed here, and like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/SanHyP so you can help expand the network and bring in more voices!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Can we make toilets spread like mobiles?
Wherever we go, even to the most remote and poorest areas, people have and use mobile phones. But, we see that the same people still defecate in the bushes or use toilets that are not hygienic. Mobiles have evolved from a luxury item to a common necessity that increases your status. People aspire to having a newer model phone.
But we talk about 'latrines' and promote technologies that are old. Mobile providers use smart, agressive marketing tactics instead and sell different options to different users, old and young, poor and rich.
We need to:
But we talk about 'latrines' and promote technologies that are old. Mobile providers use smart, agressive marketing tactics instead and sell different options to different users, old and young, poor and rich.
We need to:
- understand what would motivate different groups to build, use and maintain toilets
- target our messages better based on this knowledge on motivation and barriers
- work on diverse technical options and their costs
- provide/promote financing models with incremental upgrading options
- strengthen supply-side
- support sanitation business models and promote ways that sanitation can bring direct monetary benefits (re-use of waste)
Equity the principle of fairness
Day 1 of the workshop brought many animated discussions, informative presentations and enthusiastic stories about the value of sharing experiences. Some people had been to the workshops in 2010 and 2008 and were motivated to come again, to be inspired and challenged, to network and improve their own practice. For others this is the first time, but their interest to learn and share resulted in lively discussions in small groups.
Equity was the cross cutting theme of the day. Across the region, the poorest are the ones who have the lowest access and use of toilets. Although there are geographic areas where sanitation coverage is extremely low, an analyis of national data done by WaterAid Bangladesh revealed that government programs don't target these areas.
In other words, despite ambitious policies, funds and efforts are often not focused on reaching the poorest and most marginalised groups. There are many questions about how to translate these ambitions into practical actions. A few of the programmes discussed today give some some pointers:
Force, an NGO in India has developed a monitoring approach for community toilet complexes which has helped improve the service provided (cleanliness, timely repairs, operation, transparency and other issues) and increased the community's awareness of their rights and obligations. This innovative and simple monitoring system strengthens the government system and is being taken to scale by the government.
In the ADB-Assisted 3rd Water and Sanitation Sector Project in Sri Lanka, vulnerable groups were identified using indicators prepared by a committee including representation from the local community based organisation and the local authority. Contributions in cash and in labour were made by local households and the poorest who could not provide either were sponsored by local 'well wishers' and the project to purchase labour from others in the community.
Equity was the cross cutting theme of the day. Across the region, the poorest are the ones who have the lowest access and use of toilets. Although there are geographic areas where sanitation coverage is extremely low, an analyis of national data done by WaterAid Bangladesh revealed that government programs don't target these areas.
In other words, despite ambitious policies, funds and efforts are often not focused on reaching the poorest and most marginalised groups. There are many questions about how to translate these ambitions into practical actions. A few of the programmes discussed today give some some pointers:
Force, an NGO in India has developed a monitoring approach for community toilet complexes which has helped improve the service provided (cleanliness, timely repairs, operation, transparency and other issues) and increased the community's awareness of their rights and obligations. This innovative and simple monitoring system strengthens the government system and is being taken to scale by the government.
In the ADB-Assisted 3rd Water and Sanitation Sector Project in Sri Lanka, vulnerable groups were identified using indicators prepared by a committee including representation from the local community based organisation and the local authority. Contributions in cash and in labour were made by local households and the poorest who could not provide either were sponsored by local 'well wishers' and the project to purchase labour from others in the community.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
By all and forever
It's been silent on this blog for a while. But that is going to change soon...We're getting ready for the 3rd Asia Sanitation and Hygiene practitioners workshop. This one builds on our collective learning and documentation in the 2008 and 2010 workshops and focuses on improving sustainability, equity, monitoring in Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
The workshop will be held from 31 January to 2 February 2012 in Bangladesh. Over 50 professionals from the region, from NGOs, universities, research institutes and government, will participate in this interactive event. We'll be exploring questions like: What have we learned about moving beyond construction to a focus on sustainable facilities and hygiene behaviours? What does it take to make sanitation a sustainable service? How to reach vulnerable groups in practice and ensure equity in our programmes? Do we achieve what we aim to achieve and what monitoring frameworks and tools help us measure that?
Over 23 papers have been submitted and more photostories and practical lessons will be shared at the workshop. The papers can be accessed at http://www.irc.nl/page/68058
The workshop will be held from 31 January to 2 February 2012 in Bangladesh. Over 50 professionals from the region, from NGOs, universities, research institutes and government, will participate in this interactive event. We'll be exploring questions like: What have we learned about moving beyond construction to a focus on sustainable facilities and hygiene behaviours? What does it take to make sanitation a sustainable service? How to reach vulnerable groups in practice and ensure equity in our programmes? Do we achieve what we aim to achieve and what monitoring frameworks and tools help us measure that?
Over 23 papers have been submitted and more photostories and practical lessons will be shared at the workshop. The papers can be accessed at http://www.irc.nl/page/68058
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