Under “Municipalities Network Advocacy on Sanitation in South Asia (MuNASS II)” program, ENPHO with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and in collaboration with Municipal Association of Nepal (MuAN), United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC), jointly organized training on ‘Introduction to Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS)/ Faecal Sludge Management (FSM)’ for municipal staff members from 17th to 19th April, 2022 at Hotel Flora, Dhangadhi Sub Metropolitan City, Kailali. This training aims to increase basic understanding and enhance capacity of non-elected municipal officials in the sector of CWIS/FSM.
The training was initiated with an opening remark from Kalanidhi Devkota, Executive Director, MuAN where he highlighted that, Constitution of Nepal has also enlisted right to basic sanitation as fundamental rights so municipalities should start adopting CWIS to ensure the rights of the citizen.
The three days training mainly focused on core CWIS service outcomes and functions such as equity, safety, sustainability, responsibilities, accountability, resource planning and management along with the conventional and innovative technologies for FSM. The training was delivered in participatory approach with group discussions, experience sharing, brainstorming, video show etc. The training session was concluded with group activities where participants were given different relevant cases on sanitation management issue on solid waste, wastewater and faecal sludge, where they had a rigorous discussion to manage the situation through the CWIS lens.
During the closing ceremony participants stated:
“I am really thankful to organizer as the training sensitize us on the inclusive sanitation which is comprehensive issues and directly linked to public health and environment which should be priority of municipalities. We should involve major stakeholders while addressing the sanitation issues including sanitation workers who are involved in waste collection, desludging faecal sludge ensuring safety” said, Gita Rijal Bhatta, Sr. ANAMI, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City.
“In our municipality, we have already initiated some action for solid waste management but faecal sludge has been a major challenge and neglected issues. I realized that we need to incorporate CWIS in our planning process considering the clear responsibility, accountability, resource planning and management. I also request to organize sensitization events on CWIS to newly elected local representatives which will help us in incorporating CWIS concept in our municipalities” said, Mohan Karki, Environmental Officer, Mahakali Municipality, Darchula.
The training was organized for the municipal officers from Badimalika Municipality, Bajura; Dipayal Silgadhi Municipality, Doti; Jayprithivi Municipality, Bajhang; Mahakali Municipality, Darchula; Mangalsen Municipality, Achham; Patan Municipality, Baitadi and Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, Bhajani Municipality, Gaurianga Municipality, Lamkichuha Municipality, Tikapur Municipality, Godawari Municipality, Ghodaghodi Municipality of Kailali.
Altogether 30 participants (5 Female and 25 Male participants) which included both technical and non-technical staffs from 13 different municipalities actively participated in the training.
