Sida’s Director-General inaugurates community toilet for girls and women in Dhaka

Posted by
Clement Serao
on
19 February 2019
In
Bangladesh
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The community toilets are part of the WASH4UrbanPoor project funded by Embassy of Sweden, which aims to improve human well-being and dignity of the urban poor, especially women and marginalised communities, through ensuring access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene practices. The project intends to improve people’s participation and engagement, and influence policy makers as well as service providers for ensuring water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) rights.

During her visit, Ms. Carin Jämtin was accompanied by Her Excellency Charlotta Schlyter, the Ambassador of Embassy of Sweden, both of them met people from the community to learn about the challenges they face related to clean water and proper sanitation.

In Bangladesh’s rapidly urbanising context, thousands of people are being added to the country’s slums and peri-urban areas every year. One of the most pressing crises in these areas is the very limited access to safe water and sanitation. This not only exposes the
already vulnerable slum populace to diseases, but also impacts nutrition, education, and gender dimensions adversely.

Dr Md Khairul Islam, Country Director of WaterAid, stated, ‘Ms. Carin Jämtin’s visit is very encouraging for the project and the wider WASH sector, as we work towards achieving SDG 6 in Bangladesh. Sida’s support plays a vital role in reaching the unreached, and this partnership will accelerate Bangladesh’s efforts to reach and attain the Sustainable Development goals – ensuring that no one is left behind.’ 
Carin Jämtin met the project team, and executive director of partner organisations during her visit, along with participating at a community meeting with women and girls. 

WASH4UrbanPoor project aims to serve around 450,000 people of slums and low income communities in three City Corporations (Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna) also three municipalities (Paikgachha, Sakhipur and Saidpur).

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