WASH Acts - 2021 Edition

Highlights

The WASH Acts newsletter highlights UNICEF’s support to the Government of Indonesia’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) agenda and its efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all. 

WASH Acts - 2022 can be accessed here.

WASH Acts - 2021:

1. WASH Acts Vol. 5 (November-December 2021)

Indonesia has made good progress since 2000 in enabling access to basic sanitation to over 150 million people. Despite this, 17 million people practice open defecation and less than 10% have access to safely managed sanitation services endangering public health and the environment. The WASHActs-5 highlights UNICEF efforts to accelerate provision of safely managed sanitation services and includes elimination of open defecation in challenging areas, WASH investment analysis support for healthcare facilities and private sector engagement to accelerate WASH access in Indonesia.  

2. WASH Acts Vol. 4 (September-October 2021)

Widespread fecal contamination in drinking water sources and environment caused by open defecation practices and low access to safely managed sanitation services pose significant health risks for children in Indonesia. Despite handwashing with soap being one of the most cost-effective measures to reduce transmission of preventable diseases, handwashing practices are sub-optimal across communities, schools, healthcare facilities and public places in Indonesia. The WASHActs-4 highlights UNICEF efforts to make hand hygiene for all a reality and includes strategic cross-learning and youth engagement to accelerate WASH access in Indonesia. 

3. WASH Acts Vol. 3 (July-August 2021)

It has been almost 18 months after schools in Indonesia were closed to curb the spread of COVID-19 with over 60 million students affected by nationwide school closures in March 2020. School closures impact not only on students’ learning, but also on their health and well-being at critical developmental stages. Access to basic WASH services are more critical than ever to keep students safe in returning to the classroom. The WASHActs-3 highlights UNICEF efforts to support the safe reopening of schools, in collaboration with government, development and private sector partners.

4. WASH Acts Vol. 2 (May-June 2021)

Women and adolescent girls disproportionately face the burden of poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions at home, school, healthcare facilities and other settings, more so during menstruation. When women and girls cannot manage their menstrual hygiene, it can negatively impact their rights to education, work, marriage and health. The WASH Acts 2 highlights UNICEF efforts in collaboration with government and development partners to achieve greater gender equality and empowered adolescent girls.

5. WASH Acts Vol. 1 (March-April 2021)

WASH Acts Vol-I covers the period from March to April 2021 and highlights the contributions to support SDG-6 monitoring and financing, innovation, accelerating ODF (Open Defecation Free) attainment, engagement with the private sector and the response to COVID-19.