IPNEWS: C4H Liberia, has organized a CSOs and WASH Sector Actors Engagement Meeting, at the Corina Hotel in Monrovia, bringing together Civil society organization INGo the media and other actors in the WASH sector.
Giving the overview of the one-day event, the Executive Director, C4H Liberia said Compassion for (C4H) Liberia, the presence of other actors at the one-day technical meeting demonstrates their collective endeavor and renewed commitment to standing together in solidarity and advocacy around the issue of improved WASH services throughout Liberia.
Director Boweh Barduae, stated that the Water Sanitation and Hygiene WASH sector faces a number of challenges, ranging from “fragmentation of responsibilities” of state institutions with WASH roles, “weak policy enforcement”, “no standalone policy for sanitation”, “inadequate political will” amongst others.
He said being fully cognizant of these challenges all which you are aware of, we do not intend to bother you with too much of narrative and scooping statistics affecting the sector.
C4H Executive Director narrated that in December 2023, Population Services International (PSI) with funding from its back donor, USAID, awarded C4H Liberia a grant to implement a project titled: Legislative Engagement to Formalize the WASH Caucus into a Standing Committee in the National Legislature.
“This grant contributes to PSI’s CWAS Project result area one: “improved sanitation governance” and that of result area two: “increased financing for sanitation.” C4H Executive Director stated.
The CWSA Project is managed by a PSI-led consortium of four international non-governmental organizations. One of the deliverables under milestone II of the C4H grant entails engagement meetings with the WASH Multi-sectorial including WASH Consortium, WASH CSOs Network and other relevant sector actors and stakeholders.
The WASH sector is significant importance to note is, these consultations will be insightful in deriving collaborative ways for addressing the sector challenges, while enabling us to share knowledge and advance suggestions on the need for the establishment of the committee, its composition and responsibilities, etc.
Turning our attention to today’s consultation, we will present two (2) presentations to include: a) the Project overview, highlights on sector challenges, and CWSA budget analysis; and 2) a Proposed CSO-led Advocacy Campaign Strategy for the establishment of the WASH Standing Committee.
Using these two presentations as the basis, the following are key objectives of the consultation:
To gather deeper insight into the causes of WASH sector challenges particularly fragmentation of responsibilities, absence of standalone policy, and regulatory authority; To share knowledge on amicable ways to respond to sector challenges through collaboration; and To deepen understanding on how oversight and fiduciary responsibilities through a Standing Committee at the level of the National Legislature remain pivotal to addressing sector challenges, etc.
As this consultation provides a better forum for renew engagement, we have the opportunity not only to get your feedback on the two presentations, but also have sober reflections and brainstorming on ways to enhance collaboration and coordination leading to the establishment of the Standing Committee on WASH at the National Legislature.
Finally, let me say that coming together to have reflections and making commitment to advocate for the establishment of a Standing Committee on WASH at the National Legislature, we are influencing change for improved WASH governance in Liberia.
No doubt, our Honorable Members of the National Legislature receive most valuable information when they have the opportunity and occasion to hear directly from us, this informed network, like you, the WASH COSs actors and stakeholders, and supported by our valued partners.
C4H Liberia ED at the same time thank participants for their participation at this consultation, and value your contribution, partnership and time in our advocacy in favor and leading to the establishment of the Standing Committee on WASH at the National Legislature.
County wide Sanitation Activity (CWSA) Sector Engagement Meeting with USAID Countywide Sanitation Activity (CWSA) CSOs and WASH Sector Actors’ Engagement Meeting, Under the theme “A Call for Action for Improved Sanitation Governance”
Making special Statement at the opening program the PSI chief of party said There is low priority gven to WASH (and specifically sanitation) at all levels of the government.
Mr. Mathew Ndote narrated that there is limited commitment to increasing financing for sanitation through WASH allocations Political will for improved sanitation is lacking concern.
He said there only way the sector can get the needle support is for all those working in these area keep focus and know what actually the are doing.
“We are selected among other CSO to spearhead the engage with the Legislature,we are looking forward to working with other CSO and the international partners”.
At the end of the day long meeting participants came up with a resolution that will guide them in there working.
That they will edengod CSO WASH Sector Actors attending a one day consultative meeting god y Compared sanity C4H with support from the USAID funded Countywide Sanities Activity (CWSAS) being implemented by consortium of International.
Participants attending the meeting will improved WASH sanitation governance in the country locating the burden of health and economic challenges on the citizens: That the WASH Committee will strengthen the national WASH policy communication to promote sector wife behavior change; That the satiation legislative WASH caucus Secretariat’s be strengthened to ensure coordination in championing of WASH issues at the national Legislature, and that the government of Liberia through the standing committee will ensure to regulate activities of the WASH sector.
Other resolution reached states that WASH Commission led the Standing committee’s establishment advocacy camping at the national and subregional level of government institutions, That the sector solicits the activities of the WASH Committee for establishment of the county wide WASH camping for national and local Water management sanitation and Hygiene, especially for behavior change and practice in every part of the country.
