ZAMBIA'S 'WASH' SITUATION NOT GOOD WORRIES SIAKALIMA

By Daily News Reporter

The current Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) situation in Zambia is not Impressive, it needs strengthened efforts to develop the sector.

The UPND Government recently launched a multi-billion dollars Water Investment Programme, which is expected to benefit and impact millions of people in the Country, both in the rural and urban areas.

In December 2023 zambia hosted NGO WASH Forum in Lusaka, the Minister of Education Douglas Siakalima  in a speech read on his behalf by the Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, Joel Kamoko, on the occasion of WASH In Schools (WINS) learning event at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka.

"I am happy to grace this important occasion (water supply, sanitation and hygiene in schools learning event) where stakeholders are sharing lessons on the status of WASH In Schools and how to improve things," he said.

Mr. Siakalima further said that the statistics show that a high percentage of schools do not have access to clean and safe water, adequate sanitation and hygiene services.

"It is indeed not a secret that as a Country we do have our work cut out in so far as making clean and safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene services accessible and a reality to our 18 million Zambians," he said.

The Education Minister also said the status quo of water and sanitation in Zambia, if not well managed, may have a negative impact on the social and economic development of the Country with women, girls and children bearing the biggest negative impacts as they are often responsible for sourcing water from distant distances for household tasks.

"Poor access to WASH in schools affect the girl child who most time absent themselves during menstruation up to 5 days in some cases which already disadvantages them. Even at household level, girls are still burdened with the tasks of drawing water for household use. Time for studying is also reduced for schools that have to draw water from far places. Pupils are sent to drawing water during learning time or prep time. As we all maybe aware that the challenges of poor Water supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services are more pronounced in rural areas," he said.

Mr. Siakalima said the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS 2018) reveals that drinking water coverage for rural areas stood at 58%, sanitation at 37% and hygiene at 15% while for unban water is at 92%, sanitation 78% and hygiene 36%.

"Where you find little or no investments put up to address the status quo to improve access to clean and safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene services, it is clear that we need more investments in rural areas. The New Dawn Government understands the importance of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene as a key enabler to socio-economic development. And that if and when WASH investments are rightly undertaken, it has the potential to trigger job creation and economic empowerment," he said.

"This learning event will help us understand the current status, challenges and opportunities (best practices) that will help us accelerate the attainment of universal access to wins. Our goal is to leave no one behind which entails that all facilities we construct must be inclusive to allow for usage by differently able pupils and teachers. Menstrual hygiene management is also critical to ensure equality among boys and girls in schools," he said.

He added that the Government's commitment to better the national health, water, sanitation and hygiene outcomes.

"Even through collaborations with key partners such as the organizers of this event, I wish to commit that my ministry would like this to become an annual event. I encourage my team here to work with you and our partners to actualize this," he said.

Mr. Siakalima reiterated that inadequate infrastructure and access to wash services are the key factors hindering stronger progress for the health of women and children provision of quality education services.

"This picture is gloomy in rural areas and this must be change," he said.

Mr. Siakalima said the New Dawn Government, therefore, increased the amount of CDF from K1.6million to now K30.6 million to allow homegrown solutions across all sectors.

"It, therefore, gives me pleasure to see that development partners like yourselves have risen to the challenge to change the narrative of how Government ought to collaborate with stakeholders. Government is well aware of the tremendous support and contribution that you make towards improving the quality of education of the Zambian people more especially for the girl child. As Government, we, therefore, recognise that we must continue to provide political leadership and will to ensure that we deal with the acceleration of the implementation of the National Standards and Strategy for WINS. Allow me to reiterate to the CPS to continue collaborating and supporting my Ministry to actualise the SDGs goal 4 and 6 on Education and WASH. I also extend my gratitude to the organizers for putting together such a transformative event. As Government, we will continue to require your technical and financial support in the implementation of various development activities in WASH in schools," he said.

Meanwhile, NGO WASH Forum National Coordinator, Bubala Muyovwe, said the NGO WASH Forum will work closely with Government to generate policies and implementation frameworks to improve the WASH Sector in Zambia.

Ms Muyovwe said the Consortium of WASH NGOs in Zambia recognises the importance of collaboration in improving the WASH Sector.

"We will delve into topics such as strengthening policy and advocacy, and brainstorm innovative solutions to bridge the gap in the WASH Sector. The Government's dedication is commendable for providing guidance and directives. We, therefore, applaud their leadership and hope that these efforts will bridge WASH gaps in schools across Zambia. A child's Right to education, water and sanitation is fundamental. Let us work together to create a healthy, safe and a conducive atmosphere in response to children's Rights. Let us invest in WASH to invest in the future. To our members, I thank you for your tireless efforts to see a flourishing WASH Sector," she said.

The event held under the auspices of the NGO WASH Forum was powered by the Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association Zambia (BORDA Zambia), Habitat for Humanity Zambia and WaterAID Zambia.