CSOS Advocates For Inclusive WASH Services In ZAMBIA

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) affiliated with the Zambia NGO WASH Forum are advocating for the fundamental human right of access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), emphasising the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

This initiative is in preparation for the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December. 

Zambia NGO WASH Forum Board Chairperson Marlon Phiri highlighted the Forum’s role as a coalition of CSOs working towards equitable WASH services across Zambia. 

During a breakfast meeting on Inclusive Water and Sanitation for Persons with Disabilities in Lusaka, Mr. Phiri expressed gratitude to the Water Voices United project for sponsoring the event. 

He said the project, co-funded by the European Union and Danish People’s Aid, aims to enhance the capabilities of WASH CSOs in Zambia and support the government’s efforts to realize the Human Right to Water and Sanitation.

The meeting aimed to highlight the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing WASH services and stressed the need for inclusivity and accessibility. 

Key objectives included knowledge sharing on disability-inclusive WASH programs, discussing the WASH Equity and Inclusion Guidelines, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

Mr. Phiri emphasised that the Forum promotes sustainability of WASH infrastructure as well as gender equality, and social inclusion (GESI).

Meanwhile, Ruth Litebele of the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) recommended addressing disability inclusion in community planning processes, developing inclusive training materials, promoting universal design, and ensuring reasonable accommodations. 

She stressed the importance of community awareness and local financing to support inclusive development, as well as reviewing policies and practices to ensure they are inclusive.

Sightsavers International – Zambia Programmes Officer Enala Banda highlighted challenges like vandalism of school infrastructure and the need for community support. 

Ms. Banda highlighted some successes, such as increased enrollment of children with disabilities, partly due to the free education policy and efforts to raise awareness about the rights of children with disabilities among parents, communities, and teachers. 

She noted that menstrual hygiene kits were provided, which helped girls with disabilities spend more time in school.

She also mentioned that 21 schools now have access to inclusive WASH stations close to toilets.

The Sightsavers Official, however, noted challenges such as vandalism of school infrastructure and limited community support in providing materials like building sand.

Ms. Banda recommended that new government schools should ensure inclusive environments, toilets, and WASH stations. 

She emphasized the need for social behavioural change talks with communities to prevent setbacks. 

This is contained in a statement issued by Zambia NGO WASH Forum National Coordinator Bubala Muyovwe-Mumba.

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