Youths getting information on Gender and WASH as the matter of concern

Youths getting information on Gender and WASH as the matter of concern

WASH forum is a common interaction forum for knowledge sharing and advocacy regarding water, sanitation & hygiene which is conducted every last Friday of English month. Following this trend, in 28^th December 2012, WASH forum entitled “Gender and WASH: A matter of Key concern to Youth” was held at Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) hall, Thapagaun, New Baneswor.

The objective of the forum was set as to provide the opportunity for social interaction and knowledge sharing on Sanitation, Gender and Youth; and to critically analyze the issues of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) relating to gender and Youth, focusing on how it can be a matter of concern to this particular group.

Nurse by profession, Ms. Kalawati Pokhrel, country coordinator of Nepal WASH Alliance (NWA) was the key speaker of the WASH forum who not only drew youth’s attention towards Gender friendly WASH and its importance but also made us realize about the current scenario of water, sanitation and hygiene. Her long experience and good sense of humor kept the spirit of the forum where she even showed us the proper way of formation of WASH committee which is gender friendly and inclusive. Ms. Pokhrel related youths with gender, and requested them to be honest, sincere, responsible and corruption free.

The program had total 32 participants which was facilitated by Mr. Roshan Chaulagain, and coordinated by Ms. Rubita Pulami. Mr. Rajesh Adhikari, Promotional Manager of ENPHO, encouraged the participants with his enthusiastic welcome speech and Mr. Phurba sange Moktan inspired them with his concluding words.

“Creating income generating activities in the community involving entire group, male, female and specially Youth, will help Youths to get engage in the development activities and there will be equal distribution of work” answered Ms. Pokhrel upon the query of one participant that how cooperation between male , female and youth at Village can be done.

Prepared by: Rubita Pulami.

Gender Issues on School WASH at WASH FORUM

Gender Issues on School WASH at WASH FORUM

By: Mahidul Islam

How many of us think from the gender lens while providing accessibilities and facilities? Yes, one should think in this way as well. The monthly talk forum: WASH FORUM discussed the forum on the issues of Gender on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) entitled, “School, WASH and Gender: Key Issues” with making eyes opening on last Friday of November i.e. 25th November, 2011 which has been conducting joint effort of “paschim paaila” and ENPHO since 2010 at ENPHO Hall, Thapagaun. 

On the forum, main discussion points were school, sanitation and gender sensitization related issues in which two speakers Ms. Shikha Shrestha, Water Aid Nepal (WAN) as Key Note Speaker and Ms. Shubha Kayastha, Youth Peer (YPEER) as Youth Speaker shared their ideas, experiences and opinions. In addition, this forum has also been focused on current issues regarding school, concerns and initiatives of WASH sector and tries to address the voices of diversified youth communities and others.

“GoN policy says 1 toilet must serve 50 students but data set shows that on average, one toilet serves 127 students in Nepal.  This indicates that more toilets need to be built even at existing community schools” Said, Ms. Shikha Shrestha, WAN. “Lack of adequate toilets and waste disposal facilities in schools create a high risk of spreading disease and discourage to attend the students.” She added. Similarly, Ms. Shubha, YPEER addressed that it would be the potential roles of youth who are fruitful avenues to consider for interventions to stimulate demand for school sanitation and gender issues. 

Finally, the program was summarized with thank giving and presenting token of love to the speakers.