National symposium for women leaders on water, sanitation and hygiene

The symposium discussed women's involvement in water, saitation and hygiene at international, national and local levels.

Credit: WaterAid / Caroline Irby

The first national symposium for women leaders on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) was held in Uganda with the theme From Vision to Action, WASH for all.

Lack of sanitation and hygiene affects women and children most. This is why there is a great need for gender consciousness and local community based action.

With the involvement of women leaders at international, national and local levels, WASH initiatives and campaigns are expected to change hygiene and sanitation practices for the better in many communities.

The WASH campaign looks at the challenges facing Uganda and provides participants with advocacy tools and the basic skills needed to promote WASH. It was launched in Uganda in 2002 by the vice president at the time, Dr. Specioza Kazibwe.

The symposium was organised to bring together women leaders from various institutions and organisations such as Parliament, civil society, cultural and religious institutions, development partners, local governments and academia. The objective was to come up with an initiative for women's involvement in WASH at the international, national and local levels that generates a move towards behavioural change amongst communities for better hygiene and sanitation practices.

In Uganda it will be used to strengthen the skills of several women holding leadership positions as well as addressing the issue of water, sanitation and hygiene provision traditionally being a woman's role. It is the nation's belief that women hold a privileged position and opportunity to promote WASH.

The symposium was attended by Cherie Blair, wife of the British Prime Minister, Janet Museveni, wife to the President of Uganda, and the minister of water and environment, the Hon. Maria Mutagamba.