Participatory Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Implementation Manual

Abstract

The Government of Malawi developed the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) through which it intends to balance economic growth and social protection. Water and sanitation underpins both elements of economic growth and social protection. Accordingly, government adopted the National Sanitation Policy (2008) of which the overall objective is to achieve universal access to improved sanitation, health and promote best hygiene practices. The National Sanitation Policy (NSP) is strongly advancing the safe disposal of both solid and liquid wastes with good hygiene practices and the recycling of organic wastes. NSP generally provides guidelines and strategies as the basis of a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) for participatory sanitation and hygiene promotion, by which committed development partners can make a significant contribution to the development of the country. The MGDS targets for the medium and long term are consistent with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). For Sanitation, the MDGs target is to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to basic sanitation. In Malawi access to basic sanitation is estimated at 85% above the MDG targets. The challenge however, is to achieve access to improved sanitation targeted at 68% by 2015. The present average coverage of improved sanitation is 46% (NSP2008). There is need for major investment in both sanitation infrastructure and management system to meet the above goals. This Implementation Manual has been developed to provide guidelines to stakeholders with all the required arrangements and framework for the implementation of sanitation and hygiene promotion programmes. The Manual shall be used alongside other water and sanitation sector policies, strategy documents, guidelines and manuals including the following: (a) Malawi Growth & Development Strategy; (b) National Sanitation Policy; (c) National Water Policy; (d) District Operational Manual; (e) Implementation Guidelines for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation; (f) Implementation Manual for Piped Water Supply Systems and Point Water Sources; (g) Social Marketing Manuals (h) Integrated Social Sanitation, Hygiene and Water Communication Plan/Strategy; and (i) Various Technical Manuals for training and construction of water and sanitation systems/facilities