19 November marks World Toilet Day. In this blog, the sanitation specialists of two Finnish-funded WASH sector projects from Nepal and Ethiopia share their insights into the current sanitation situation in the project areas and what the projects are doing to enhance sanitation. Meet Govinda Rokaya, Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist from SUSWA and Ebsa Feyisa, Behavior Change Specialist from COWASH IV.
Hello Govinda and Ebsa. Great to have you here to answer some key questions for World Toilet Day. Let’s start with an easy question on what SUSWA and COWASH IV aim to achieve in sanitation?
Govinda: SUSWA aims to attain increased and improved access to sanitation services to the people without causing harm to the environment. We also support the project municipalities in Karnali in improving access to institutional toilets at schools, healthcare facilities, and other public places. One of our strategies is to strengthen the sanitation market by connecting importers and wholesalers with local retailers. SUSWA also works to enhance hygiene practices and behavior. The project works with local governments and supports them in developing policies and plans for improved sanitation. We collaborate and coordinate with many stakeholders to facilitate knowledge generation and sharing. The project promotes gender equality and disability inclusion through menstrual hygiene management activities and the construction of accessible toilets, among other activities.
Ebsa: COWASH IV focuses on enhancing sanitation through various initiatives. These include improving latrine access for households benefiting from water supply projects, establishing local WASH Savings and Loan Associations (SLAs) to help fund sanitation improvements, and creating market-based sanitation centers to increase access to products and services. The project also promotes social and behavioral change to transform sanitation practices and raise awareness. Additionally, it involves constructing improved latrines in schools and health facilities and building Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) facilities to support the sanitation needs of school girls.
It seems like both projects are aiming towards the same goals, but how are the projects working achieving these objectives?
Govinda: SUSWA works to empower communities to lead the construction and improvement of sanitation facilities. The field team of SUSWA supports them by providing training, guidance and technical assistance in the repair and construction of toilets and improved hygiene practices. The schools and healthcare facilities having no or inadequate facilities are prioritised by the local governments. Then the management committees of the institutions take the leadership for the repair or construction of the toilets with the support of the SUSWA team.
SUSWA’s strategy in the sanitation market development is based on the findings and recommendations from the deep dive study conducted in collaboration with iDE. SUSWA has tested and piloted sanitation products that have been preferred by the local communities and showcased them in different market centers. The project also supports the development of sanitation marts to enhance access to sanitation products across the project area.
For improved hygiene practices, SUSWA has adopted a mix of different behavior change communication (BCC) models and approaches. The BCC campaigns such as mass rallies, door-to-door visits, events, and household level monitoring are organized in project areas
Ebsa: COWASH IV adopts a multi-faceted approach to achieve its sanitation goals, focusing on community empowerment, infrastructure development, and capacity building. Through the Community Managed Project (CMP) approach, it trains rural communities to plan, construct, and maintain their WASH facilities, ensuring sustainability and local ownership. The CMP approach put the communities at the core of the project.
The project develops infrastructure by building and rehabilitating household latrines, school sanitation facilities, and health institution latrines, including MHM centers for girls. It also promotes market-based sanitation by supporting the production of affordable, locally made products like latrine slabs and handwashing stations. WASH SLAs help households finance improved facilities while fostering income generation.
Behavior change and hygiene education are central, with campaigns encouraging better sanitation practices and lasting habits. Capacity building is prioritized through training for local government bodies and community leaders, ensuring sustainable sanitation improvements beyond the project’s timeline.
Both projects have ambitious goals to achieve sanitation goals which is great! So Govinda and Ebsa, what have been the main achievements and results so far?
Govinda: Improved levels of sanitation facilities and hygiene have been reported in many communities: 2,982 households have gotten access to improved toilets and 2,457 households to a basic toilet since the inception of the project. 6,577 households have gotten hand washing stations with soap and water. 3,718 households have fulfilled the total sanitation criteria that are aligned with the national standards for total sanitation. To support the effective implementation of sanitation and hygiene activities, SUSWA has designed the Total Sanitation Training Manual in consultation and collaboration with different WASH sector agencies in Nepal. It is the first comprehensive training manual for total sanitation in Nepal.
The portable, water-efficient sanitation products have been imported and marketed by the private sector and showcased in 14 local market centers in Karnali with the support of the project. SUSWA has facilitated connections between the wholesaler and retailers and in this way, contributed to the better availability of sanitation products in the project area.
Ebsa: COWASH IV has significantly improved sanitation access in rural Ethiopia, benefiting public health, education, and community resilience. The project has constructed latrines in 50 schools, benefiting 53,324 people, with MHM centers in 39 schools serving over 16,087 girls, including 108 with disabilities. Improved sanitation has also been implemented in 124 health facilities, and 26 WASH enterprises now produce affordable latrine slabs.
To support households, 108 WASH SLAs have been established, providing financial aid for latrine upgrades while fostering behavior change and pride in hygiene. Through WASH committees (WASHCOs), community members are trained to lead hygiene campaigns, manage water points, and maintain infrastructure. Educational materials, including 16,020 posters and 15 audio-visual messages, promote lasting sanitation habits.
Capacity building has trained over 67,597 people, enhancing skills and resilience. The CMP approach has further empowered communities to lead and sustain their own WASH initiatives, ensuring long-term impact.
Both projects are reaching really good results, well done. But have you faced any challenges in your working areas?
Govinda: One of the challenges has been a relatively low prioritization of total sanitation at the political level compared to other commitments over the past years as Nepal has been implementing many processes related to the restructuring of the governance system. Also, the project area is characterized by challenging hilly and mountainous terrain and many of the project locations are not easy to access. Hilly and bumpy roads pose risks for the transport of fragile sanitation products which contribute to higher prices. Most of the rural communities in the mountainous working area of SUSWA are cluster communities which can create difficulties for managing waste water.
Reaching the poorer segments of the population is also sometimes challenging. SUSWA follows the no subsidy approach of the Government of Nepal and thus, does not provide any cash and kind support to the communities. This makes it challenging for some households to improve their sanitation facilities. Finally, the operation and maintenance of the sanitation facilities require institutional backup and planning which is still limited in some locations.
Ebsa: The main challenges in COWASH IV’s working area include community engagement and behavioral change, where deep-rooted cultural habits often slow the adoption of improved sanitation practices despite educational efforts. Financial constraints remain a significant hurdle, as many rural households struggle to afford improved facilities even with WASH SLAs. Limited product variety and market supply also pose issues, with rural areas lacking local suppliers of affordable sanitation products, forcing communities to rely on substandard solutions. High transportation costs for sanitation products, especially in remote areas, further limit affordability and adoption.
Cost escalation in constructing improved latrines and MHM facilities in schools and health centers adds to the challenge, with rising material and labor costs making these projects harder to implement. Sustainability and maintenance of WASH facilities are ongoing concerns, as some communities lack the technical skills and resources needed for long-term upkeep, leading to facility degradation. Finally, coordination with local authorities varies, with some woredas facing limited capacity and commitment, which can impact project execution and follow-up.
And last but not least gentlemen, what would you like to say to people on this World Toilet Day?
Govinda: Sanitation is so important and gives a lot of benefits including but not limited to comfort, dignity and prestige. Toilets are the heart of sanitation and without toilets, life is difficult and there are a lot of problems. I would like to request all the people in SUSWA’s working area and beyond to think about the benefits the toilets provide. It is not that difficult to construct a toilet and it is possible with local materials. Without toilets, the risk of diseases, conflicts, economic losses, and social stigma increases.
As every level of government talks about people and about improving their lives, it is the sanitation and toilets that are so important for the developed, improved and dignified lives, and prosperity of any community. I would like to request all levels of government around the globe to give due priority to sanitation and the toilet in every house. Together with the people on the ground with the governments on the lead and with the facilitating hands from the development agencies, we can create a happier and prosperous world by constructing and improving the toilets for sheer happiness.
Ebsa: Together, let us continue to break down the barriers to sanitation access and utilization, support each other in adopting safe sanitation practices, and push forward so that every family can enjoy the dignity and safety that a proper toilet provides.
