SDG 6 Alignment Workshops at Province Level
Two province level SDG 6 localization sharing meetings were organized in Bagmati and Lumbini provinces, with participation of concerned policy and planning commissions or the sectoral line ministry in the respective provinces. The focus of the presentation and discussion were on Target 6.1, 6.2 and 6.b. Bagmati Province of NFN organized the workshop in Hetauda on 25 November 2021. The province level consultation meeting in Lumbini Province was held on 23 November 2021 in Butwal.
The workshops were aimed to discuss and review the need, significance and status of the integration and localization of water and sanitation indicators of SDG 6 (SDGs 6.1 and 6.2); to discuss on the strategy, data collection and reporting mechanism on WASH at the province level; and to build awareness and accountability of the stakeholder on achieving the SDG targets on WASH.
Social Development Minister of Bagmati Province Hon. Kumari Moktan was the chief guest in Bagmati. Harihar Pokhrel, Secretary of Policy and Planning Commission of the Bagmati Province shared how the province has been making efforts to streamline SDG 6. The Minister also acknowledged the role of the NGOs in raising awareness and social development, and it is necessary to utilize the strengths of NGOs and CSOs while designing and implementing activities. The Minister expressed her commitment to address the concerns and suggestions of the CSOs. The event was useful for sharing of the information, making review and seeking commitments for meeting water and sanitation targets by the subnational government.
The meeting consisted of two presentations: 1) access to clean drinking water and sanitation and role of province government by Senior Divisional Engineer Mr. Dhruba Dhital who represented the Ministry of Tourism, Rural and Urban Development. 2) Water and sanitation expert Mr. Surya Thapa presented the civil society perspectives and the role of CSOs for meeting SDG 6.1 and SDG 6.2.
The program has been useful to seek commitment of the Lumbini province government official to increase budget and priority to WASH and NGOs have been aware and more committed to their increased role and contribution. However, it was realized that subnational governments have not been able to align their WASH programs with national targets, investments and inadequate and WASH has not been a priority agenda.
