Promoting sanitation and hygiene in Nepal on World Toilet Day

On World Toilet Day, we take a moment to celebrate people's work and achievements in various districts in Nepal through SNV's Sustainable Sanitation & Hygiene for All programme. SSH4A is being implemented in 7 districts with funding from UK DFID, and in another 8 districts with joint funding from DGIS and the Civil Society WASH Fund of DFAT, Australia.

Bisnudaya Kapar from Achalgadha in the Sarlahi district was only convinced after numerous visits by the community motivator about the importance of a toilet. "I now feel proud to use the toilet I built and to keep it clean."

Village WASH Coordination Committee members continuously monitor the sanitation status in Pancera VDC in the Saptari district. The key to success for the VDC to become open defecation free (ODF)? Women who promote sanitation and hygiene.

After participating in a training on sanitation business, several masons from the Saptari and Siraha districts started record keeping of their business inputs and outputs.

Berendra Sah, a mason from Gadhya VDC in the Sarlahi district, invested in a ring production business to meet rising demand for toilets in his area.

Other masons are trained on quality construction using stone masonry for toilets (see photo).

"I am proud that we have 100% sanitation coverage!" said Bhaulchaur VDC of the Salyan district during an open defecation free (ODF) ceremony.

Cleaning campaigns led by the Village WASH Coordination Committee and health volunteers are an important part of the sanitation campaign in Sonma VDC of the Mahottari district.

There is progress after toilet construction in going towards total sanitation with e.g. washing platforms, drying racks, and waste collection pits.

Salyan district became the 37th Open Defecation Free district of Nepal on 1 July 2016.

Sanitation supply chain actors work on identifying needs and developing strategies for sanitation and hygiene in a post-ODF scenario.

Sumintra Devi Paswan, belonging to the traditionally low-caste Dalit community, built and started using a toilet for her family's good health.

Where sanitation meets energy: Dilmaya Chaudhary of the Banke district constructed a toilet attached to a biogas unit.

Even the remote area of Thehe VDC, with no road access, has reached Open Defecation Free status.

Can't get enough? Explore the full photo story on our Nepal country page and see how people in Nepal are the drivers of change!