Zambia NGO WASH Forum is hosting Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) umbrella bodies from six countries for a benchmarking exercise in Lusaka.
The networks in attendance are from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Zambia NGO WASH Forum Coordinator Bubala Muyovwe-Mumba said the regional learning exchange on WASH has been made possible with the support from the European Union and Danish People’s Aid.
Ms Mumba added that the Forum has realised the need for stronger connections with regional counterparts and aims to reflect on achievements, learn from each other, and explore how to collaborate more effectively at regional, continental, and even international levels.
She also highlighted that while Africa has made progress in expanding WASH access, significant challenges persist, including the need for sustained behavioural change, addressing urban-rural inequalities, securing sustainable funding for projects, tackling water scarcity exacerbated by climate change, and promoting sustainable sanitation solutions.
Ms Mumba stressed the need to confront critical issues related to technical resource management and institutional capacity, noting that with the African Development Bank projecting Africa’s population to surge to 2.4 billion by 2050, the urgency of the work cannot be overstated.
She said the learning exchange provides a unique opportunity to harness collective expertise, share innovative approaches, and forge stronger partnerships.
The goal of the Forum is to improve the lives of millions across Eastern and Southern Africa who still lack access to safe water and adequate sanitation.
Ms Mumba said the collaborative efforts have the potential to catalyse transformative change across the region.
She said through networking, knowledge sharing, and the identification of shared priorities, the Forum aims to influence a joint regional advocacy agenda that amplifies its voice in key forums.
“We are also implementing the Water Voices United which is a transformative four-year project, co-funded by the European Union and Danish People’s Aid and spearheaded by SNV in partnership with the NGO WASH Forum. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities and synergies among WASH Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zambia. By fostering the CSOs role in WASH governance, the project supports the Zambian Government’s efforts towards the progressive realization of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation. Together, we are not just aiming for change; we’re ensuring a sustainable and equitable future where access to clean water and safe sanitation becomes a reality for all,” she said.
This is contained in a statement issued by Zambia NGO WASH Forum Communications Officer Bangwe Naviley Chisenga.
