WASH in Africa: Why Does It Matter?

Hey there! I'm thrilled to kick off my very first blog post! Over the next six blogs, we'll be focusing on water and sanitation in Africa. Expect a blend of data, real-world stories, links to academic research, and a rich discussion of different perspectives.

 

Why Africa?

Let's talk about Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), crucial pillars of public health. The stats from the World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report are frankly jarring:     

" 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water； 

3.6 billion people lack access to safe sanitation；

2.3 billion people lack access to basic hygiene services. "

These aren't just numbers; they represent the daily realities of billions. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its commitment to leave no one behind, emphasises the need for all, especially the most vulnerable, to have access to safe water and sanitation. This is where Africa becomes our focal point.

 

Let us take a look at the two maps below. You will see that the proportion of the African population with access to safely managed sanitation and drinking water facilities is much lower than in other parts of the world, with most figures ranging from 0 % to 25 %.

Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services, 2020

Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services, 2020

Consequences of Poor WASH

Inadequate WASH facilities have far-reaching consequences for Africa. Diseases spread through unclean water and poor sanitation, such as diarrhea, malaria, and various infections, contribute significantly to infant and child mortality (Strickland, 2000; Armah et al., 2018; Pullan et al., 2014).  

 

Poor WASH also severely impacts educational and economic participation, disproportionately affecting women and girls who bear the brunt of water collection and suffer from the lack of menstrual hygiene facilities (Jasper, Le, and Bartram, 2012). World Bank-funded projects supporting water and sanitation services, including safe and clean school latrines for girls in countries such as Ethiopia and Tanzania, have demonstrated that these constraints can be overcome, dramatically increasing school enrolment and retention rates (Kwakwa, 2023).

A Long Road Ahead

The progress and challenges of WASH in Africa by 2022 present a varied picture. Only about 31% of the population has access to safely managed sanitation, and 28% to basic hygiene facilities. To meet the SDG target by 2030, a substantial escalation in progress is necessary. Despite the population increase from 812 million to 1.43 billion from 2000 to 2022, some improvements in basic sanitation access, and reductions in open defecation, the region still faces considerable challenges. Notably, there are significant disparities within countries, especially between urban and rural areas, and between different socioeconomic groups. In urban areas, two-thirds of the population lack access to safely managed sanitation, a figure that increases to three-quarters in rural areas. With the current pace of progress, it appears unlikely that any African country will achieve universal access to safely managed sanitation by 2030, underscoring the critical need for enhanced investment, prioritisation, and policy support to address this crisis effectively (Godfrey, 2023; Tseole et al., 2022).

Your Thoughts?

I'm eager to hear your insights and ideas. Feel free to leave your questions and suggestions in the comments section, and let's explore them together!