Unprecedented Commitments for Sanitation Promotion
For the first time in the history, sanitation became a burning national issue in the political domain. The newly elected Constitution Assembly (CA) members made joint commitments to conserve the Bagmati River and ensure sanitation as a basic human right in the constitution. This commitment was made on 5th June 2008 in Kathmandu in a special event organized to mark the International Year of Sanitation (IYS)-2008, World Environment Day (5th June), 9th National Sanitation Week (1-7 June 2008) and "Bagmati Shanti Mahotsab”. The program was jointly organized by Bagmati Shanti Mahotsb organizing committee, IYS-2008 Nepal Desk, Steering Committee for National Sanitation Action, WHO, UNICEF, UN-Habitat and stakeholders.
The organizers had urged political leaders, CA members, brother organizations of political parties and civil society to show the following commitments and determination for the sustainable promotion of sanitation and conservation of the Bagmati River and other river systems in Nepal:
• Formulate an appropriate legal provision to discourage Open Defecation (OD).
• Ensure the use of toilets by all and develop OD free situation in each constituency.
• Take initiatives to ensure people’s access to soap at affordable cost for the promotion of proper hand washing behaviour.
• Ensure an adequate budget for sanitation sector.
• Prioritize sanitation as the key development agenda.
• State level reward and recognition of individual, institutions, schools and communities contributing to sanitation promotion.
On the occasion, the president of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and CA member, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) addressed the event as the chief guest. Mr. Krishna K.C-- chairperson of the Bagmati Shanti Mahotsb organizing committee-- urged to the concerned stakeholders for the conservation of Bagmati River, the lifeline of the Kathmandu valley, with sincerity, devotion and commitments. Minister of Physical Planning and Works Hisila Yemi indicated that there is a terrible situation of child mortality (in the country) due to poor sanitation. In course, the Minister assured that Nepal’s “Master Plan on Sanitation” will be developed by the end of the 2008. Throughout the event, the prominent issues such as importance of toilet, hand washing with soap, safe disposal of human waste, conservation of rivers and environmental sustainability were by and large emphasized. Nepal Country Plan for the IYS-2008, booklet entitled “Bagmati Shankalpa Ra Pratibaddata”, leaflet on 9th NSW, Sarsafai Sandesh (newsletter on the IYS-2008), stickers, sanitation cards, brochures, etc were distributed.
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