Coordination among water, sanitation sector must be increased: Experts
The study, conducted in the Rajshahi and Khulna city corporation areas, gathered and analysed data on the water and sanitation systems, offering recommendations
Experts emphasised the importance of increasing coordination among organisations working in the water and sanitation sector to tackle challenges in providing safe drinking water and sanitation.
They also called for the implementation of effective advocacy and community-based awareness programmes.
They said these at a discussion titled "Challenges, Opportunities and Actions in the Safe Water and Sanitation Sector" organised by Wave Foundation and Water Integrity Network held today (20 October) at CIRDAP auditorium on Topkhana Road in Dhaka.
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During the event, findings from a study titled "Support for Enhancing Accountability in the Water and Sanitation Sector to Address Risks of WASH Project" were presented.
The study, conducted in the Rajshahi and Khulna city corporation areas, gathered and analysed data on the water and sanitation systems, offering recommendations.
Researcher Dr Md Hasan Ali at the discussion said that 83% of citizens are unaware of the programmes run by WASA or the city corporations and 46% reported the absence of a complaint box. Additionally, 81% said they had not been given the opportunity to participate in public hearings.
During an open discussion, youth and student representatives, project participants, and civil society members shared their opinions. Suggestions and recommendations emerged, including the need to strengthen policy advice through evidence-based knowledge and documentation, plan and implement effective advocacy and community-based awareness programmes, and create and disseminate ethical messages through modern tools and channels.
Other recommendations included enhancing collaboration and networking among stakeholders, strengthening civil society organisations and community engagement, regularising citizen consultations and demand-generation activities, and ensuring public accountability through participation in planning and public opinion sharing, which should be encouraged regularly.
Mohsin Ali, founder and executive director of the Wave Foundation, Md Abdullah, managing director of Khulna WASA, Md Alla Hafiz, deputy managing director of Rajshahi WASA, and Lipi Amena, coordinator of the WIN WASA project, were among the speakers at the discussion.
