Australian support for inclusive...
Australian government invests in longer-term WASH systems change while reaffirming...
Beyond the Finish Line, professionalising gender and socially-inclusive and sustainable rural water supply services in the Dailekh and Sarlahi districts of Nepal.
Beyond the Finish Line in Nepal is part of a five-year multi-country programme (2018-2022), which is being implemented by SNV in Nepal, Bhutan and Lao PDR. Supported by the Water for Women Fund of the Australian government, the project is a collaborative initiative between SNV, the Institute for Sustainable Futures of University of Technology Sydney (ISF-UTS), and the Ministry of Water Supply, together with the National Federation of Disabled in Nepal and CBM Australia.
The programme builds on Nepal's extensive experience in rural water supply services and the success of the SSH4A approach in supporting the government’s post-open defecation free (ODF) drive – ‘Total Sanitation’ – which currently takes place against the backdrop of decentralisation. As the country moves towards a ‘fully-functioning federalised state,’ the programme is committed to advancing the districts of Dailekh (Province 6) and Sarlahi (Province 2) as (decentralised) role models to follow in realising inclusive WASH services that are: sustainable, offer resilient water supply services, and incorporate hygiene behaviour change communications in development strategies for households, schools and health care facilities.
Selected district programme areas represent two very different terrains in the country. District-specific project results will offer insights into developing inclusive and scalable WASH services for: a) gravity-fed water supply systems, mainly for those living up in the hills/mountains (Dailekh), and b) groundwater-based systems, mainly for those living in the plains of the terai (Sarlahi).
Applying a multi-component approach that is an extended version of the Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for All (SSH4A) model, the project seeks to professionalise and improve functionality of all groups involved in WASH services delivery. It will:
Photo credits: All images by Nico Hertweck for SNV | (Banner) Community members of the Malhaniya Saptari district gather for a behavioural change communications workshop, July 2018 | (Right) Salyan district resident demonstrates how her family stores drinking water
Improvements in existing services increase access to basic water supply for 40,000 additional people and 30 additional institutions (health facilities and schools)
40,000 additional people and 10,000 additional students wash their hands with soap during two critical moments
2,000 additional female students practise safe menstrual hygiene management in schools, and 500 additional people with disability gain access to appropriate WASH facilities at home