10th World Water Forum: Dr. Ackun calls for gender mainstreaming in school education modules

As part of the 10th World Water Forum being held in Bali, Indonesia, Dr AcKUN Leticia, AfWASA's Gender Specialist, took part in a session on "Gender and access to EHA, what management and financing mechanisms to guarantee inclusion: the practical case of schools".

On this occasion, she emphasized the importance of gender mainstreaming both in designing EHA facilities and in school modules, as well as empowering young people through the creation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) clubs to reinforce their leadership and civic responsibility.

Several experts took part in the session.

Mr Harouna DERA, Sanitation Associate à Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Burkina Faso  à exposé les mécanismes de financement mis en place par GGGI pour faciliter l'accès aux ouvrages d'EHA au niveau des places publiques (écoles, daaras, gares, marchés...). Un processus qui pourra être réadapté dans le cadre de l'amélioration de l'accès aux services WASH dans les établissements scolaires.

Mr Omar SENE, Directeur de l'Assainissement, a fait la présentation des toilettes sensibles au genre mis en place par la Direction de l'Assainissement dans le cadre de son programme EHA dans les écoles. Ces toilettes sont adaptées pour les personnes en situation de handicap, les filles et prennent en compte la Gestion de l'Hygiène Menstruelle dans leur conception.

Mme Rouguiyatou Ba NIANG, Responsable de projets au Cabinet EDE International et Chargée du sous-comité organisation de L'AJPEAS est revenu sur les mécanismes de gestion des ouvrages d'EHA dans les écoles et a présenté les toilettes biofilters mis en place par L'AJPEAS dans le cadre du projet de traitement et de valorisation des boues de vidange dans la zone humide des Niayes.

Mr. Omar SENE, Director of Sanitation Senegal, presented the gender-sensitive toilets set up by the Sanitation Department as part of its WASH program in schools. These toilets are adapted for people with disabilities and girls and take Menstrual Hygiene Management into account in their design. Ms Rouguiyatou Ba NIANG, Project Manager at EDE International and head of the sub-committee at Senegal Young Water and Sanitation Professionals Association (AJPEAS), talked about the mechanisms for managing WASH facilities in schools, and presented the biofilter toilets set up by the Association as part of the project to treat and reclaim sewage sludge in the Niayes wetlands. Ms. Awa GUEYE, Water and Sanitation Engineer and Head of the sub-committee communication-marketing at AJPEAS, moderated the session and presented the "WASH SCHOOL" concept implemented by AJPEAS to improve access to WASH services in schools, while considering gender, circular economy, and environmental preservation aspects.

At the end of the session, the following points emerged:

• L'importance d'intégrer les notions "genre" et WASH ainsi que l'hygiène menstruelle dans les curricula afin d'initier les plus jeunes;

• The importance of integrating gender and WASH concepts, as well as menstrual hygiene, into curricula to initiate younger students.

• Strengthening young people's leadership and civic responsibility by creating WASH clubs and mentoring younger people. The aim is to prepare the next generation from an early age.

• Ensure the proper management of these facilities to ensure their sustainability.