Organized WASH Leadership Hiking 2019

Edited by: Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila
- Mr. Meghajan Budha, Member PP batch II

Paschim Paaila has been organizing WASH Leadership Hiking since 2010 with major motive “Fun with Learn” marking day events such as World Water Day, World Toilet Day, Global Handwashing Day. “Fun” as major motto for hiking, Paschim Paaila has been adding the elements for learning and networking through WASH Leadership Hiking. Till date, Paschim Paaila has organized 12 WASH Leadership Hikings.

On occasion of World Toilet Day 2019, Paschim Paaila organized WASH Leadership Hiking 2019 to Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park. Hiking initiated from Balaju bypass, near the entry point of Nagarjun hills to build networking among WASH volunteers and WASH professionals on 23 November, 2019. Altogether 11 participants joined hiking event to enjoy nature, celebrate World Toilet Day 2019 and to get connected to work together in the sector of WASH.

Celebrated World Toilet Day 2019

-Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator

Globally, November 19 is celebrated as World Toilet Day to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. Since 2013, the United Nations has observed November 19 as World Toilet Day to draw the world's attention to the importance of accessible toilets and their role in improving hygiene and health around the world.  The theme for this year’s World Toilet Day was “Leaving No One Behind”. Based on this theme, ENPHO and Paschim Paaila celebrated World Toilet Day organizing events solely and in collaboration with Guthi, WaterAid Nepal, KMC and other organizations to raise awareness and mark the day.

The event included Toilet Walk-a-thon and Exhibition. Toilet Walk-a-thon was organized  in collaboration with GUTHI, WaterAid Nepal and other organization whereas Exhibition was organized by ENPHO and Paschim Paaila.

Event Highlights:

1  1. Toilet Walk-a-thon: In support of WaterAid Nepal, GUTHI in collaboration with KMC, Paschim Paaila, ENPHO and other 13 organizations and academics like UEMS, Autism Care Nepal, Kathmandu University, Tribhuvan University organized Toilet Walk-a-thon on 19 November, 2019 on the occasion of World Toilet Day to advocate for better public toilets and safely managed sanitation. The route of Toilet Walk-a-thon covered 8 public toilets started from Bhrikuti Mandap and ended at Basantapur.

More than 300 people including youths, WASH professionals and practitioners, political leaders, government officials and media personal became a part of the rally. A mobile toilet led the rally which became center of attraction for the public. Former Environment Minister Ganesh Shah insisted that Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) should now come into consideration with safe and clean public toilets during closing remarks of the event.

2. Exhibition: An exhibition stall was placed near the public toilet opposite of Bir Hospital to aware and share information related to Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) to general public on 19 November, 2019. The message related to FSM was shared displaying various information, education and communication (IEC) materials which included posters, leaflets, booklets, manuals and case studies. A model of FSM was displayed in the stall which remained main attraction for visitors. Also the result of KAP survey was disseminated in the stall. More than 350 general public visited the exhibition stall.

KAP Survey on Faecal Sludge Management

-Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator

Globally, 4.2 billion people still live without "safely managed sanitation" and around 673 million people practice open defecation. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 aims to achieve sanitation for all and end open defecation.

Aligning with an aim of SDG 6, Government of Nepal have declared Nepal as Open Defecation Free (ODF) nation on September 30, 2019 making the first ODF nation in South Aisa. However, safely managed sanitation remains a challenge after the declaration. Despite having latrines in each household (HHs) of Nepal, generated faecal sludge and its safe disposal has yet to come in concern for all.

To assess the public understanding on Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), ENPHO and Paschim Paaila conducted Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) survey on 16 and 17 November, 2019 in Kathmandu Valley. Data from 1091 random pedestrians was collected from Ratnapark, Lagankhel and Suryabinayak in Kathmandu Valley.

51 percent of the responsents said that they have knowledge on FSM. Amongst them, 84 percent said that they know about the impact of Faecal Sludge (FS) on health, 11 percent were unsure and 4 percent were unaware about its health impact. Likewise, amongst the respondents having knowledge on FSM, 78 percent said that FS can be treated, and 83 percent are willing to pay for treatment of FS.

Furthermore, 73 percent of the total respondents have knowledge that FS are being disposed into the river for its management.

Additionally, 64 percent respondent had connection of their toilet with the sewerage line while 35 percent had the septic tanks and remaining 1 percent had other containments such as pit and biogas production system within their household. Amongst the septic tank users have not emptied the septic tank since its use.

While safe collection and proper treatment of faecal sludge is crucial, it is equally vital to create public awareness and capacitate local service providers to increase safe practice of faecal sludge management. This study indicates that still clear understanding on FSM including local capacity building on proper faecal sludge management, its regulation and monitoring are essential so as to support and improve existing FSM practice in the community.