Since 1999, WaterAid Malawi has brought clean water and improved hygiene to Salima, Mzimba, Machinga, Nkhotakota, Karonga, Rumphi, Balaka, Dedza, Ntcheu, Chikwawa and Kasungu districts; Lilongwe city and the small towns of Kasungu and Mponela.
Our work is driven by a wish to transform lives and ensure that basic human rights such as water and sanitation are a 'normal' part of everyday life in Malawi.
We recently worked on providing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) services in health care facilities in three districts of Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Machinga. With our local partners we installed sanitation facilities, safe water, incinerators, placenta pits and community boreholes. We also trained health care workers in how to prevent infection.
We are also influential in shaping the policy and advocacy agenda of the WASH sector in Malawi. We contribute to sector learning and influence the adoption of tested technologies and approaches by other stakeholders in the sector, including EcoSan latrine options and management models for urban water kiosks.
Increased access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities, especially at household level, has had significant impact in reducing infectious diseases.
These services also enhance people's dignity and well-being and produce socio-economic benefits. When taps and toilets are close at hand, communities have more time to devote to their work and studies.
Clean water and good toilets change lives
Opportunities in sanitation businesses have significantly improved livelihoods for sanitation entrepreneurs. Improved toilets and facilities in schools also leads to more students staying in school, particularly girls like Martha.
Guided by the Sustainable Development Framework, WaterAid Malawi will contribute towards eradicating extreme poverty by reaching the poorest and most marginalised communities with clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030.
We believe that real change can be achieved when citizens are empowered and take responsibility and actively engage in the realisation of their rights to clean water, good hygiene and decent sanitation.
Sustainable, equitable and inclusive WASH services need to be delivered at scale. Sanitation and hygiene must also be recognised and prioritised across sectors as a public health concern. When the sector is well-coordinated, responsive, and accountable, we can create an enabling environment for integrated delivery of equitable and sustainable WASH services.