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CWSA, funded by USAID, recently introduced the concept of area-wide sanitation (AWS), an approach that improves sanitation governance. AWS is a universal definition for inclusive and equitable coverage that seeks to achieve sanitation within an entire administrative unit that is responsible for sanitation service delivery. It uses evidence, localizes analysis, and is consistent with monitoring and adaptable programming that can reach all residents in an area.
In April 2023, CWSA leveraged the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) Joint Sector Review (JSR) to introduce and begin initial discussions around AWS and what it could mean for Liberia. The WASH JSR is a comprehensive process involving desk analysis of literature and available information, applicable policies, sector strategies, existing datasets, diagnostic tools, and regulations. During the JSR, CWSA led the development of technical briefs on AWS planning and market-based approaches for sanitation coverage in Liberia. Following this initial introduction, CWSA solicited and incorporated various stakeholder feedback (i.e., from ministries, agencies, and civil society organizations that support WASH) on the draft AWS guidance and planning materials. This has since been shared with USAID for approval. Moving into its second year, CWSA plans to roll out and scale AWS.
The goal of ending open defecation (OD) is central to CWSA implementation. To address behavior barriers and social and behavior changes (SBCs) around OD, CWSA began collaborating with its technical working group (TWG) on SBC activities. The purpose of the TWG is to drive project interventions and mitigate and resolve any challenges that may hinder CWSA implementation. The TWG comprises: members at the national level, including those representing the Ministry of Health - National Health Promotion Unit (NHPU), Community Health Division (CHD), Governance and Decentralization Unit (GDU), County Health Services (CHS), and Environmental and Occupational Health; and partners, including the National WASH Commission (NWASHC), the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) Urban Affairs, Custom, Culture, and Tradition, and the traditional council.
CWSA began to solicit the support of the TWG in February of 2023, for the development of an SBC strategy that could be further embedded within a theory for change. There were five socialization meetings held with key stakeholders in the five CWSA operational counties and stakeholders provided the framework that informed TWG-led strategy development. This output was successfully developed and approved by USAID, and will serve as a roadmap for changing behaviors and social norms in Liberia. To date, the CWSA SBC strategy provides a clear direction for WASH-sector performance, which has always proven to be fragmented. This process can be adopted to fit other sectors as needed.
Following approval of the strategy, a total of 300 local leaders (from 30 communities across the five counties) were trained. This training encouraged their buy-in for CWSA implementation, stimulated communities to develop actions to end OD, and increased their involvement into decision-making processes during the CWSA implementation. Moving forward, the CWSA team will continue following up on the implementation of their action plans and other activities outlined in the SBC strategy.
The USAID-funded Countywide Sanitation Activity (CWSA) aims to achieve a permanent end to open defecation (OD) across five counties in Liberia: Montserrado (rural), Bong, Lofa, Nimba, and Grand Bassa.
The objective of ending OD permanently will be accomplished through a coordinated network of public, private, and community actors, enabling Liberian households, to build improved toilets. The five-year project was awarded to Population Services International (PSI), which leads a consortium of organizations including Concern Worldwide, Athena Infonomics, and Gusceman Incorporated. This award runs from September 1, 2022 through September 30, 2027.
The consortium will achieve its project objective through interventions in the following four result areas:
Contact:
Learning and Communications Manager, CWSA
Mathew Ndote
Chief of Party, CWSA
