21-22 April: SNV at the IWC-DFAT WASH and COVID-19 online forum
Mark your calendars and catch SNV staff share their contributions - with partners in government, research institutions, civil society, and private sector - in carving out a fairer and healthier world for everyone.
Between 21 and 22 April 2021, join SNV staff and partners during the online forum Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and COVID-19: Response & recovery for a resilient future. Organised jointly by the International WaterCentre (IWC) in Griffith University and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the forum will deliver two panel discussions (1) and ten workshops on highly relevant development issues of today. Read further to find out what to expect from SNV during the forum.
21 April: The global WASH response to the COVID-19 pandemic – Did we get it right?
15:00-16:30 AEST: COVID-19 & WASH behaviour change
Convened by Plan International Australia with Water for Women Fund
Presentations from: iDE, SNV in Lao PDR, World Vision and Thrive
Explore COVID-19 hygiene behaviour change efforts and reflect on the emerging lessons on adaptations that were needed, what has worked well, and what has not. During this workshop, SNV in Lao PDR's Le Huong and Outhikone Souphome In will share their experience in co-developing and launching a nationwide COVID-19 prevention and behavioural change campaign in Lao PDR, with a special focus on rural areas.
17:00-18:30 AEST: Risking everything for your safety and protection: Sanitation workers in the frontline
Convened by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation
Presentations from SNV in Indonesia, Practical Action, FSM Network in Bangladesh, Wai municipal in India and WaterAid
Explore practical government-led lessons from different Asian countries in supporting and motivating sanitation workers to deliver services during a pandemic, and discuss recommendations on how to minimise sanitation workers' health risks during COVID-19 and future emergencies. During this workshop, listen to SNV in Indonesia's Lena Ganda Saptalena share their work in the co-development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Sanitation Workers in Indonesia. And, representing the FSM Network in Bangladesh, SNV in Bangladesh’s Merelin Keka Adhikari will talk about the network’s experience launching and maintaining a national advocacy platform for and of sanitation workers.
22 April: The COVID-19 pandemic and WASH inequalities – What can we learn?
15:00-16:30 AEST: Share the power: Progressing inclusion of marginalised people in WASH through ‘not being neutral’
Convened by World Vision and Edge Effect Australia with Water for Women Fund
Presentations from SNV in Bhutan and other partners
Discuss the importance of development practitioners to not remain neutral when it comes to the inclusion of SGM people and people with disability, and how these extraordinary times may be used to shift power. During this workshop, SNV in Bhutan’s Tshering Choden will share select results of the organisation's long-term partnership with Disabled People's Organisations in Bhutan and Nepal in inclusive programming and facility development (e.g., accessibile handwashing stations) and behavioural change communications and advocacy to improve menstral health and hygiene and assist national government COVID-19 response efforts.
SNV is a member of the Conference Committee in charge of setting the programmatic directions and scope of this two-day forum. View committee members here.
Notes
[1] All panel sessions are scheduled daily between 13:00-14:30 AEST. More information on the panel sessions here.
Banner photo: Resident in Punkha Bhutan using outdoor water facility (SNV/Aidan Dockery)