Equity and Equality in the Zambian WASH Sector

 The Zambian Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector is a fundamental component of sustainable development, public health, and poverty reduction efforts. Equity and equality within this sector are critical for ensuring that all Zambians have access to clean water, adequate sanitation facilities, and hygiene education regardless of their socioeconomic status, location, or other demographics. While these terms may sound similar, the implementation of one versus the other can lead to dramatically different outcomes for marginalized people.

Equity in the Zambian WASH sector pertains to fairness and justice in the distribution of resources and services. It recognizes that different communities and individuals have varying needs and capacities and aims to address disparities by prioritizing those who are marginalized or disadvantaged. Equity is frequently linked with inclusion. Inclusion means the process of including these marginalized and unserved communities within, and not separate from, society. For WASH, it means considering their needs at all stages of WASH programmes, from planning to evaluation. Equity and inclusion are important cross-cutting issues in WASH because these groups of people have frequently been neglected in the past.

Older people and others who need support rails to hold onto, people with poor sight, and disabled children are just a few of these groups with very specific needs. It is important that stakeholders with responsibility for planning and implementation recognise these varying needs and ensure that individual groups are not overlooked.

In contrast, equality focuses on ensuring that everyone, irrespective of their background, has equal access to WASH services and opportunities. The disproportionate responsibility women and girls bear as primary users, providers, and managers of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) at the household level is yet to be matched by a commensurate representation in WASH-related decision-making. While women’s participation in water governance and the promotion of safe sanitation has long been encouraged, this engagement has not always translated into better services for themselves, and decisions on “big water” issues—such as large-scale infrastructure investments, water allocations, or water trading—remain largely gender-blind.

Key issues affecting equity in the Zambian WASH sector is the uneven distribution of resources and services between urban and rural areas. Urban centers generally receive more attention and investment, resulting in better infrastructure and higher access rates compared to rural communities. This disparity exacerbates existing inequalities and perpetuates the cycle of poverty and disease in rural areas.

Furthermore, within rural communities, certain groups such as women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly often face additional barriers to accessing WASH services. Gender norms and cultural practices may limit women's participation in decision-making processes related to water and sanitation, thereby hindering their ability to advocate for their needs and preferences.

Though the Zambian government, in collaboration with various stakeholders and international partners, has made significant strides in improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities across the country, challenges persist, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where infrastructure is often lacking, and poverty rates are high.

In addressing these challenges, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach that prioritizes equity and equality in WASH programming and policy formulation. This entails:

 

1.       Community Participation and Empowerment: Engaging communities, especially marginalized groups, in the design, implementation, and monitoring of WASH interventions empowers them to take ownership of the initiatives and ensures that their voices are heard. By actively involving communities in decision-making processes, empowering marginalized groups, promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building, fostering sustainability, and advocating for their rights, communities can contribute to the development of inclusive and sustainable WASH systems that benefit all individuals and communities equally.

2.       Targeted Interventions: Tailoring interventions to address the specific needs and priorities of different communities, considering factors such as geography, culture, and socioeconomic status, can help bridge the equity gap and promote inclusivity. In 2023, the Zambian president issued a directive stating that only waterborne sanitation facilities and piped water schemes should be built in public institutions like schools, health facilities and markets in the country. While this directive is a positive step forward, it's essential that it's supported by efforts to enhance the entire WASH value chains. Without such support, the directive may not be sustainable or beneficial to end users. Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) should also be mainstreamed in WASH programmes to contribute to both more sustainable WASH services as well as to gender equality and women’s empowerment as a stand-alone goal.

3.       Climate Smart Investment and Funding: Increasing investment in rural infrastructure development, including the construction of boreholes, piped water systems, and improved sanitation facilities, is crucial for expanding access to WASH services in underserved areas. Ensuring equity in funding is not only the responsibility of the central government, but also the responsibility of various stakeholders and international partners. Addressing the gap in WASH funding is not only a moral imperative but also a matter of economic and social justice. The increased allocation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) offers a great opportunity to leverage on in increasing resources towards WASH especially in rural and peri-urban areas, including rural growth centres. Broadly, stakeholders must leverage domestic and international financing mechanisms including public-private partnerships, development aid, grants, concessional loans, and innovative financing instruments (e.g., water tariffs, user fees, revolving funds) to equity and equality WASH projects..

4.       Social and Behavior Change (SBC). These strategies are pivotal in enhancing equity and equality within WASH endeavors in Zambia. These approaches tackle behavioral barriers, foster inclusivity, and empower marginalized communities. By promoting hygiene education and behavior change communication initiatives, awareness regarding the significance of clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices is raised, resulting in improved health outcomes and a reduced disease burden. SBC interventions are integral in championing equity and equality within WASH initiatives in Zambia through addressing behavioral barriers, fostering inclusivity, empowering communities, ensuring sustainability, and advocating for policy changes prioritizing marginalized populations. By harnessing SBC strategies, stakeholders can collaboratively work towards establishing a more equitable and inclusive WASH system that benefits all individuals and communities alike.

5.       Policy Reform: Advocating for policy reforms that prioritize equity and equality in the allocation of WASH resources and the implementation of regulatory frameworks strengthens the government's commitment to achieving universal access to WASH services. By addressing resource allocation, legal frameworks, decision-making processes, financial mechanisms, regulatory oversight, capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation, reforms can help create an enabling environment for the equitable and inclusive delivery of WASH services to all Zambia.

In conclusion, achieving equity and equality in the Zambian WASH sector demands collaborative efforts from the government, civil society, and the private sector. By prioritizing the needs of marginalized communities, promoting inclusive decision-making processes, and investing in sustainable infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives, Zambia can progress towards its 2023 goal of ensuring access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for all its citizens. It's crucial to acknowledge that achieving universal access to WASH services in Zambia entails addressing underlying inequalities and barriers that hinder certain groups from accessing these vital resources. Therefore, a combination of equality and equity approaches may be necessary to effectively address the challenges in the Zambian WASH sector and guarantee that all individuals and communities can exercise their right to clean water and sanitation.