Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Network

15/02/2012

http://www.wash-net.org || info@wash-net.org

BACKGROUND

n September 2010, a Learning Forum that was organized by the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW) together with its partners in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on equity and inclusion saw the formation of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Network (WaSH-Net) of Sierra Leone. This led to a stakeholders dialogue on the Right to Water and Sanitation which was a national dialogue to consider the issues and challenges of the progressive realization of the right to water and sanitation in Sierra Leone by the Youth Partnership for Peace and Development - an initial member of ANEW). The dialogue which brought together a number of Civil Society organizations identified critical barriers to the rights and access of WaSH which include insufficient political prioritization, weak sector capacity to develop and implement effective plans and strategies, and uncoordinated and inadequate investments to place WASH at the heart of national development plan. Furthermore, weak CSO capacity to engage in the sector, low citizens engagement and exclusion of the poor.

WHO WE ARE
Officially launched by the Deputy Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, WaSH-Net is a network of civil society organizations in Sierra Leone with the desire of joining existing platforms in addressing the critical barriers to achieving universal and sustainable sanitation and drinking water for all. These barriers include insufficient political prioritization, weak sector capacity to develop and implement effective plans and strategies, coupled with inadequate investments to place WASH at the heart of national development agenda. WASH-Nets approach in drive is to enhance and facilitate a multi-stakeholder process across the sector, engender and promote knowledge, identify opportunities for intervention and foster learning and joint action.

VISION
WaSH-Net envisions a country where everyone has access to safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene services which is contributing to sustainable development.

MISSION
WaSH-Nets mission is to contribute to the development of Sierra-Leone by supporting the poor and marginalized groups to access safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene as a human right, engage government and other stakeholders to ensure that these services are delivered effectively to all.

We will do this by advocating for increasing numbers of poor households and vulnerable groups to be able to enjoy the benefits of safe water and sanitation services for domestic and productive use that is reducing poverty.

RATIONAL FOR INTERVENTION IN THE SECTOR

Civil society organizations have a critical role to play in promoting the national policy objectives which will contribute to the Africa Water Vision for 2025: Equitable and Sustainable Use of Water for Socioeconomic Development, and working with and monitoring States compliance with their obligations under United Nations resolution on the rights to water, sanitation and hygiene and other applicable regional and national instruments. The fact that water is life and the provision of adequate water and sanitation services for the people of Sierra Leone is a necessary precondition for socio-economic recovery at all levels of society and in meeting MDGs and the PRS II targets. A lack of water and sanitation contributes to poverty with the need to make good on the commitment to provide access to clean water to the nearly 1 billion people worldwide who currently rely on bacteria-infested water that causes everything from diarrhea to dysentery and fighting the disturbing reality that more people die each year from contaminated water.

THE LAUNCHING EVENT

The Water, Sanitation and hygiene Network of Sierra Leone on 15th February 2012 officially launched its existence together with the WASH Manifesto Campaign by the Deputy Ministry of Energy and Water Resources at the British Council Auditorium. Attended my members of the civil society, media, political parties, development partners and key ministries, agencies and departments, WASH-Net through its members nationwide further succeeded in attracting attendance and representation even from the local councils across Sierra Leone. 2012 is a critical moment for Sierra Leones development; shaping the countrys political direction through the forthcoming elections on November 17th. WASH-Net sees this as an opportunity to engage on a massive citizens engagement processe that makes voices and votes count in elections; in other words, using elections as tools to demand commitments that ushers much-needed change within the WASH sector. Followed by the Launch was the finalization of a Country Election Strategy for 2012 at the Family Kingdom on 16th February led by Oxfam and the Urban WASH Consortium.

The program was called to order by Mr. Victor Lansana Koroma, Secretary General of the Network and Executive Director of Health Alert Sierra Leone. He first welcomed guests and later invited key dignitaries that were invited to serve in various capacities after a silent prayer. An introduction of the Chairperson was done by Mr. Saa Matthias Bendu, Head of Media Relations at the Network and at the same time doubling as Head of Communications at the Foundation for Democratic Initiative for Development. He introduced the Chairperson as a result of the late arrival of Mrs. Agnes Conteh, District Focal Point for the Bombali District. Going through the entire pre-formalities, Mr. Koroma handed the event to the Chairpersons, Mrs. Jamesina King to lead the entire process. The entire event was climaxed with vote of thanks from Mr. Foday D. M. Sesay, WASH-Net Regional Focal Point North. Mr. Sesay then expressed the Networks appreciation to partners like WaterAid, Adam Smith International (ASI), End Water Poverty, the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation, the media and indeed the government of Sierra Leone and development partners.

The Chairperson of the program, Mrs. Jamesina King, in her opening remarks welcomed guests to the launch and noted that a vibrant civil society force is needed towards addressing the dare needs of water and sanitation as part of the countrys development. The Commissioner further commended the network for a bold and conscious steps taken to ensure voices are

amplifies at the various levels that will lead to a sustainable in the water and sanitation sector in Sierra Leone. Earlier, the Chairperson of the ceremony, Commissioner Jamestina King, a Human Right Commissioner, said, the right to adequate water, hygiene and sanitation is an important prerequisite to the right to health and adequate standard of living; noting that the need for an advocacy platform that engages stakeholders at the various levels becomes necessary. She maintained that, it is the fundamental part of the countrys human rights and its understanding of a life and dignity. She referred to the campaign, has been very timely and relevant. According to Commissioner King, most people are without safe drinking water, and most essential services such as hospitals, water, hygiene and sanitation. She therefore appealed to all stakeholders to participate in the campaign. In her concluding opening remarks, she encourages others to be part of the campaign; noting that it is but very important towards shaping the countrys water and sanitation goals. She then proceeded to with the agenda by calling Mr. Musa Ansumana Soko, Chairman of the network to give a brief overview of the launch.

Musa Ansumana Soko, Chairman of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Network and Executive Coordinator of the Youth Partnership for Peace and Development gave a brief background of the network and the rationale behind the Manifesto Campaign. He said the initiative started 2010 as an alliance of civil society organizations in Sierra Leone. Mr. Soko further stated that that launching event is of two folds; one being the launch of the Networks official existence and the other as the Manifesto Campaign launch. He acknowledged the presence of

the networks District Focal points and most importantly, representatives and chairmen of the various district councils across the country with whom he said the network will be closely working with. In his overview of the Manifesto Campaign, he noted that the campaign took its root from the 2011 Partners Planning Workshop that was organized by WaterAid in Monrovia, Liberia. The Network then saw the ardent needs to ensure elections deliver as tools to transform people lives positively; in other words, making voices and votes counts in elections" he said. He disclosed that, as partners in development, they will continue working with government in ensuring that citizens benefit from water and sanitation as enshrined in the agenda for change as a blueprint for Sierra Leone's development. Furthermore, he gave the broader objective of the campaign; saying that it is to ensure that Presidential, Parliamentary and local elections become vital tools to demand commitment for increased understanding that will lead them to publicly demand their right to safe drinking water and sanitation in public fora during elections 2012 and beyond. This campaign will further strengthen the capacities of WASH-Nets member organizations for effective citizen engagement in demanding for accountability and access to safe water and improved sanitation for all particularly around the 2012 elections and beyond. Giving his overview, Mr. Soko highlighted that through this campaign, WASH-Net Sierra Leone and partners want to continue ensuring that policies are translated into real actions that directly impact on the lives of the poor and marginalized who are faced with the daily dilemma of inaccessibility to safe, clean water and affordable sanitation facilities especially when this has not been happening in previous elections. He then finally reiterated that the already begun work with the political parties should be a means to an end but building on whats already being done and the media, said is a vital part of this golden process.

Dr. Yassin Mshana, Unicef Representative and Advisor to Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources. In Dr. Yassins opening statement, he commended the Network for the bold steps taken to ensure water, sanitation and hygiene issues are brought to the fore of the countrys development. Using elections, he said, is an innovative approach to ensure commitment and citizens voices becomes things of reality if at all water and sanitation problems are to be addressed.

He pointed that UNICEFs work in the direction could not be overemphasized; especially as they continue working with stakeholders across Sierra Leone to address various water and sanitation issues. He urged that government scale up support and place more priority to the sector, taking into account that the Manifesto Campaign is a step in its rights direction. WASHNet, I know, is operating across the length and breadth of the country. I will therefore urge that you keep this momentum moving, as civil societies organizations have got a vital role to play in ensuring that government in its responsibilities continued to be engaged and reminded on a constant and organized manner. This campaign, he said, will also contribute immensely to not only the rights to education but hygiene promotion and development in the entirety.

Mr. Kwabena S. Manu, Representative from Adam Smith International (ASI) Mr. Manu started by congratulating the network for taking the lead in shaping the focused direction for citizens engagement in the water and sanitation sector. On behalf of Adam Smith International, he said, we will continue engaging with not only government but civil society organization and the people of Sierra Leone noting the Networks approach in engaging dutybearers should not lose sight of the relevance of civil society; from consultation to collaboration and to constructive engagement, to confrontation where government tends to renege on their responsibilities. In his proceeding statement, he commented on the very importance of the WASH Manifesto campaign being pioneered by the network and its partners. This, he said, is indeed a laudable

initiative and that there should be coordinated efforts to realizing the all-embracing goal of the campaign. Further, Mr. Manu highlighted to vital need to engage political parties to include water and sanitation in the manifestos.

Furthermore, in the area of maternal access, he expressed concerns for the daily sufferings of children and the struggles women usually undergo in the search for safe water. Concluding his remarks, he noted that the challenges faced by Sierra Leonean regarding water, sanitation and hygiene must be taken seriously and be speedily addressed and everyone has got a part to play in that direction.

Mr. Thomas Amara, Director, Environmental Health Division of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. In Mr. Amaras opening statement, he expressed profound thanks on behalf of his Ministry to the Network for the laudable change initiative they are leading. Giving an overview of his Ministrys approach in the hygiene and sanitation drive, he pointed a number of good scores in the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) drive especially in the regions. He further pointed the vitality of civil society organizations in the entire CLTS process and how they have been monitoring at the various levels. In his continuing statement, Mr. Amara drew the attention of distinguished personalities that despite Sierra Leones progress since the war in 2002, poor access to water and sanitation facilities continues to inhibit the countrys development. Across Sierra Leone, he continued, just 47% of the population has access to improved drinking water sources, whilst just 30% of Sierra Leoneans have access to adequate sanitation facilities. The practice of open defecation remains prevalent, something t is reflected in the high prevalence of diarrhoea and other infectious diseases in communities, particularly amongst the under-fives. The National CLTS task force he said, emerged from this to serve as a forum for advocacy, providing capacity development through information and encouraging partners to share experiences as well as contribute to quality implementation. District task forces have also been established to support scale up, ensuring local government commitment to CLTS. All CLTS communities have established village health committees which include a natural leader. Their key responsibilities include the spread of CLTS to other catchment communities and hygiene promotion. He further expressed his Ministrys commitment and willingness to continue working with the Network in the most effective way they could. He assured civil society organizations and other stakeholders in the WASH sector.

Claire Seaward is the Advocacy and Campaign Manager at Oxfam GB in Sierra Leone. She started off by saying that she was presenting on behalf of the Urban WASH Consortium, WaterAid as sponsor for the Network and Oxfam. Hi her opening statement, she introduced the Urban WASH Consortium with its composition of five International Non-Governmental Organizations in Sierra Leone. Highlighting that WASH-Net is a unique platform especially with the mixture of voices and experiences it have got through its broader membership; recalling the importance of the official launch of the Network and the Manifesto Campaign in the election year of 2012. This she said is a very great opportunity to ensure water and sanitation commitments are delivering. In her statement, she further gave some vital strength of the network in the sense that through its diverse membership base, the issues are all very wellknown and that we are very close to the people who are undergoing the daily problems of accessing affordable, clean and safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. She then encouraged the Network to keep building on those strengths to ensure lives are continued to be transformed. Further she said, WASH-Net should be part of that process that will emancipate the many Sierra Leonean women and Children who undergo the daily dilemma a crisis of water and sanitation She ended reaffirming her organizations continued effort to engage civil society organizations to whose extent WASH-Net is pivotal part of that engagement as its being the case.

Mr. Martin Bash-Kamara, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy and Water resources. On behalf of my Ministry; the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, he said, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate members of the Network for its organized formation. Your work with communities and especially the media is very well felt by the Ministry. Keep the spirit moving he urged. As one of the neglected sector before now, despite the many challenges the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources is facing we are still very cognizant of our dream to address the sanitation and water crisis for the people of Sierra Leone. He said. The Minister therefore continued to state how important civil society engagement is especially so when the effort could not be single-handedly achieved. He therefore urged citizens to continue paying their dues especially to constantly maintain the structures and facilities that permit timely delivery and effectiveness, adding that it is not water that people are paying for but the services that bring the water to homes and families. He then pleaded that Network in its constructive engagement drive continue with positive criticisms that will foster national development, with the strong note that WASH-Net should approach issues very professionally as it have always being the case. Dont allow to be used for character assassination he said especially during the 2012 political campaign drive. Prior to the launching of the network and campaign, Mr. Bash Kamara revealed that, the campaign is an additional effort to supporting Governments initiative on safe water and sanitation. He confessed that, his Government needed the partnership of other stakeholders, especially civil society organizations, to improve services for the people of this country. The minister further disclosed that, many people and communities in Sierra Leone still lacks safe and clean drinking water and sanitized environment. He assured that his Government is doing every bit to ensure that all communities benefit from these services.

He further assured civil societies of his ministrys commitment in promoting the campaign and urged them to encourage the public to pay for these services. He concluded by pledging his Ministrys continued support to WASH-Net and his Ministry will work the best possible ways it could to ensure Sierra Leoneans are catered for with respect to their water and sanitation needs. And finally declaring the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Network of Sierra Leone officially launched together with the Manifesto Campaign. He ended.

As WASH-Net continue fostering its approach of ensuring multi-stakeholder approaches, the Network will do in its diversity to continue working with the various communities, the media, civil society development partners, central government and local council authorities who represented their various district councils at the launch.

Succeeded in bringing sector stakeholders together as an integral part of the Campaigns success Commitment from government through the various ministries for their continues support and wiliness to scale-up support to the sector and effectively work with civil society Bringing together District Council representatives from the various regions of Sierra Leone as an entry point for further engagement Wider media hype and coverage. Engagement of the Networks District Focal Points in the finalization of the 2012 Election Strategy. The event continued strengthening working relationship with the various political parties the Network has been engaging with.