Within the WASH cluster, there are 72 partners nationwide, and with the support from them, the services that determines the WASH sector like clean and hygienic drinking water supply, awareness program, health clinic and isolation center has been conveyed. After the success of creating nationwide open defecation free zone, total sanitation campaign was initiated. 5+1 indicators have been formed which is currently in implementation. There are also processes to form total sanitation directory. Institutional arrangement to carry out total sanitation work has been done in all provincial level and is in process to form in municipal level as well. 80 public toilets are in construction. Local Governance Operation Act 2074 has given responsibility to local level for maintaining clean drinking water supply. Likewise, federal level has been continuously providing suggestions from time to time to properly implement it. A separate committee has been formed to amend the total sanitation’s master plan and directory which will be formed by the end of 2021. Training has been provided to engineers to conduct proper planning and design. The role of federal is to conduct code, guideline, master trainer, overall capacity building and to coordinate with provincial and local level to have smooth implementation of the operation. The draft of WASH Act has been formed by committee and is proceed to get passed from the parliament. MoSW commits to form WASH plan in 753 rural municipalities within 2 years which will help to deliver drinking water that will have basic standard.
Hand washing program is being delivered primarily through this WASH program. Touchless sanitizing unit have been initiated to implement handless sanitizer. Drinking Water Laboratory Centers have been formed in all 7 provinces and there is also mobile water tank in each capital. A program to test the drinking water has started as well. Master plan to maintain the supply of clean drinking water is about to form. Through NWASH application made by MoWS, data of 256 out of 753 rural municipalities has been collected. Open Defecation Free Zone was successfully established and the department has also formed a training module coordinating with various related bodies to form management plans to properly manage the fecal sludge. A process to estimate the budget to maintain and supplement the operation has been initiated. A survey has been carried out to build public toilet nationwide. Amendment will be made to the total sanitation’s master plan and directory and it will be completed by the end of 2021. Virtual training programs are in initiation to increase the cooperation and coordination with local and community level. There should be separate division in local level to maintain the clean and hygienic drinking water. Federal level should initiate mega projects to sustain the campaign. Duplication of projects must be eliminated. DWSSM commit to form WASH plan and implement in 753 rural municipalities within 2 years which will help to assure basic standard in the drinking water supply.
Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) systems were discussed so that such practices can be encouraged and carried out in convenient manner. Draft of policies has been designed to make amendment or surplus in the previous policies. Data management and planning is fully prioritized. Federal level is planning to form integrated approach for total sanitation and hygiene.
After the success of nationwide ODF zone, now the next step is to manage the fecal sludge and waste water stored in the safety tanks. Training module has been developed. Sewerage Act has been formed. MoWS have sent the draft of WASH Act to the parliament and are in process to get passed. The action plan of NWASH Act must be passed to implement clean and hygienic drinking water in all 753 local levels. The action plan has been formed which will help find WASH gap in terms of functionality and budget so that total sanitation can be achieved in sustainable way. The department has approved the MOU to form action plan for local levels so that they can proceed for maintaining clean and hygienic drinking water. There should be mobilization of human resource to monitor the post condition of ODF campaign from local level. WASH plan coordinating with the three tiers of government should be done. Digital platform (NWASH application) for data collection has been made and there should be full use of it. Proper allocation of budget from wherever is convenient, either from federal or local level, must be done.
MrGunaraj Shrestha, National Convener of Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Partners’ Alliance (MHMPA)
Menstrual hygiene is not the problem of women only but of human as a whole, so, men gaze also need to make engagement from their side considering it as their problem also. Menstruation has created so many restrictions among women which is prohibiting them from carrying out everyday life functions. Discrimination towards women because to it could be seen worldwide. There are campaigns that are initiated to celebrate menstruation as integrity of women. Consideration to make amendments within the academic curriculum has been begun from 2020 A.D. where Ministry of Education is also providing its efforts. An effort to form needed education trail for it is in process. There is lack of proper coordination with ministries; even the nongovernmental organizations are working separately in individual way. 80% of the women are out of reach from getting pads. There is very low production of pads in Nepal and it has not been able to compete with Indian’s production too. There are programs that will ensure the reach of it to everyone which is not able to make continuation at the moment due to the pandemic. It would be fully implemented as soon as possible. MHMPA commits to make its full engagement to uplift the issue of menstrual hygiene.
Dr. Usha Jha, Member of National Planning Commission
There used to be more restrictions in the past which has been minimized with the continuation of generation. Someone has to raise voices to bring changes in it. Menstruation is biological so it should be accepted as an integrated part of women; there is need of social acceptation. There are policies however it has not been much effective so there is need to make some amendment for it. There are programs to distribute pads in community school. The instance of LGBTQI hasn’t improved as it should have so there should be more involvement and National Planning Commission is committed to uplift the issue. There should be a separate ministry who will take a lead responsibility to uplift menstruation issues. Action plan will be formed within 6 months.
Laxmi Ghalan, President of Mitini Nepal
Being LGBTQI person doesn’t mean they had to face menstrual issues in any different way than women. People assume that LGBTQI doesn’t face the problem in same manner as women do. Trans people face this issues in even more complicated way than women because they couldn’t share their issue because people are completely unaware about trans people facing such issue. LGBTQI issues also should be included when making policies. There is lack of awareness so awareness should be provided starting from the family, individual and society level.