WASH Commission, UNICEF Launches ChatWASH to End Open Defecation
Children defecate into the Duo River in Liberia. Open defecation can lead to contaminated water sources and the spread of diseases. But abolishing it will require more than just access to clean toilets. Photograph: Ahmed Jallanzo/EPA.
With funding from UNICEF, the National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Commission (NWASH) has launched a 'Comprehensive and Harmonized action called the CHATWASH Movement to address open defecation across the country.
The launch took place in Gbargba, Bong County was aimed at engaging government Officials, County Administrators, Environmental Health and WASH Professionals, Non-governmental and Civil Society Organizations to discuss WASH related issues and Challenges and find the most appropriate solution in ending open Defecation by 2025.
Addressing a new conference on Monday, March 14, 2022, the Commission Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) Bobby Whitfield said the Chat WASH movement was developed to guide stakeholders including citizens on how to mitigate open defecation.
" It is a comprehensive and harmonized action on water and sanitation. So we are coming together for an action in Bong county on Wednesday, 16, 2022 to discuss how to end open defecation in Liberia,” said Mr. Whitfield.
Open defecation is alarming in post-conflict Liberia especially in slum communities. Liberia is among countries with poor access to sanitation with the vast majority of rural areas lacking access to decent toilets and latrines and having to defecate openly with 42 percent practicing open defecation according to Joint Monitoring Programme 2017 report.
'All in all, the report said less than 10 percent of Liberians have access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services. Securing access to safe water and adequate sanitation for all would go a long way in reducing infection, disease and death.
However, the country’s high rates of diarrheal diseases and childhood malnutrition, as well as frequent outbreaks of cholera, show how young children suffer when they don’t have access to the basics of life.
For school-going children, the lack of WASH facilities in schools spreads disease and results in missed days of learning. For girls who have started to menstruate, the absence of separate girls/boys bathrooms discourages them from coming to school on menstrual days and contributes to drop-out.
Five years after the report was published Liberia is organizing the first dialogue with local Counties authorities, partners and stakeholders to craft a roadmap in mitigating open defecation.
According to the WASH Commission CEO, the Commission have conducted studies which prove that open defecation is mainly practiced in rural areas which is why they have invited all 15 Superintendents from the Counties. "At the end of the workshop there will be a declaration sign by all 120 participants including Counties Superintendents that we are in charge of the County Administration and we will stop open defecation".
Mr. Whitfield added that 38% of the country’s population lack access to toilets. This, he says, “ is very alarming and needs quick attention.
The CEO further said that the Commission will work closely with partners using several approaches to help communities identify projects intended to end open defecation. "There will be incentives to build toilets and latrines for communities and schools but they should come together, identity and take ownership of their community to end open defecation," he said.
The workshop commenced on March 16, 2022 and climaxed on Friday, March 18, 2022 with a resolution from participants to mitigate open defecation.