WaterAid Zambia has urged all stakeholders to join forces in promoting a hygiene behaviour change campaign, which is the engine for hygiene integration, dubbed with the slogan CLEANLINESS IS LIFE.
The campaign is aimed at improving the status of hygiene in Zambia.
WaterAid Zambia Hygiene Officer Kachusha Nkosha said WaterAid had since convened a workshop in Lusaka, dubbed the Hygiene Behaviour Change for national, provincial level and partners, including the Zambia NGO WASH Forum, marking a significant step towards improving hygiene practices across the nation.
Ms Nkosha emphasized the importance of the campaign in promoting sustainable hygiene behaviours, particularly in schools, health care and community settings.
She stated that the goal of WaterAid is to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene in a generation.
Ms Nkosha said the Kutuba Campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage positive hygiene practices to combat public health emergencies and improve overall community health.
She mentioned that the event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, academia, and the private sector, highlighting the collaborative effort required to achieve the campaign’s objectives.
Ms Nkosha noted that WaterAid Zambia, with a presence in the country for over 50 years, has been instrumental in responding to droughts and ensuring access to essential WASH services.
She explained that the organization’s new strategy, “Beyond WASH,” focuses on financing WASH and integrating it into public health programs, namely safe motherhood, child health, nutrition, and public health security, aiming for a resilient and healthy Zambia by 2028.
Ms Nkosha added that the Kutuba Campaign is part of WaterAid’s broader efforts to strengthen systems and promote hygiene behaviour change.
She said the campaign launched in 2019, focuses on practical hygiene practices rather than just information dissemination.
The Hygiene Expert said this approach has proven effective in creating lasting behaviour change in communities but also offers opportunities to learn and improve hygiene programming.
Ms Nkosha said participants at the event would share their expectations and experiences, emphasizing the need for strong collaboration and the creation of hygiene champions who can lead efforts in their respective communities.
She also highlighted that the campaign aims to address the challenges faced by marginalized groups, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Ms Nkosha said WaterAid Zambia’s efforts in Monze, Kazungula, Nkeyema, and other regions have demonstrated the impact of effective WASH interventions.
She said the organization continues to supplement government efforts and work with partners from the NGO WASH Forum to model and scale successful WASH practices.
Ms Nkosha called for collective efforts to create resilient environments and reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases.
This is contained in a statement issued by Zambia NGO WASH Forum Communications Officer Bangwe Naviley.
