Published on: 15/10/2015
Achieving universal access to WASH services that last is only possible with government leadership and political commitment, and when policy makers and service providers are held to account for responsive services that reach all communities. Today on Global handwashing day, hygiene and sanitation expert Alana Potter talks about 7 key ingredients how to make hygiene promotion work.
7 key ingredients for making handwashing happen
Ensure that:
- National hygiene and handwashing targets are in place. This indicates clear public sector leadership, with buy-in from the relevant ministries and departments.
- National hygiene and handwashing policy and strategy is in place and supported by the relevant ministries and departments.
- Comprehensive system for monitoring hygiene and handwashing facilities and behaviours is integrated into country WASH monitoring systems (including baseline data against which progress can be monitored).
- Budget allocations for hygiene and handwashing change initiatives are prioritised, ring-fenced and readily traceable.
- Inter-Ministerial platforms are in place to coordinate the achievement of Global Goal 6 (universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030) and related initiatives and programmes
- Hygiene and handwashing activities and initiatives are actively informed by a current and credible evidence base (learning is fed into policy and practice)
- Public and private sector capacity and partnerships are in place locally and nationally
- With government in the lead and the right partnerships in place, we strive to make SDG 6 a reality.
Happy Global Handwashing Day!
