For the last 5 years ,with support from the Dutch government, The WASH SDG Programme,has been spearheaded by SIMAVI and Plan International Uganda to provide solutions in Uganda with a keen focus on hard to reach communities ,bridging the social gaps around access to basic water ,sanitation and addressing regressive gender norms.

speaking at the Uganda pavilion at COP 28,Ms. Rashidah Kulanyi, Country representative for SIMAVI revealed the impactful contributions of the programme in alleviating impacts of climate change on local communities in the Districts of Agago,Kamuli,Buyende and Nebbi.

Rashidah indicated that the programme has responded in uplifting the opportunities for Women as these usually have been the most hit by impacts of adverse climate.”In areas like agago ,”we have provided cookstove solution options that conserve energy to enable  ease the hardship that women have to undergo in sourcing for firewood”. stated Rashidah.

During the panel discussion, Mr. Samuel Andrew Kiiza, -Plan international Uganda highlighted the need to focus on key actions that propel the future of the girl child. He noted that as part of the CSO fraternity, they have focused on building the capacity of community to respond to the climate crisis through actions that conserve the environment.

‘’Climate crisis exacerbates gender inequalities and with the existing gender inequalities girls are hardest hit by the impacts of climate change’’ said Samuel

According to Mr. Kiiza ,Less than 2% of the climate strategies mention girls and this has implications of prioritization and budgeting for climate actions to help women and girls cope up with the shocks and stresses as a result of climate change

He noted that to this effect, the WASH SDG  programme invested in climate resilient and gender transformative interventions including ; climate smart solutions ( elevated latrines), rain water harvesting systems to collect and store water for use during drought, clean energy, gender transformation through trainings and community dialogues to facilitate shard workload by men and women.

On behalf of the Private sector, Nobert Oola,- senior Business Advisor at WASEU raised the concern around the critical role of the private sector. He emphasized that as much as the private sector is looked at as a solution provider, more still needs to be done to create the right enabling environment. ” As we make progress towards getting the different private sector  players to respond to the the call to improve the demand and supply value chains of critical products and services that aide adaptation and climate mitigation, alot of financing is still required to make this a reality ”,said Nobert.

He said as part of the WASH SDG Programme in Uganda ,the Uganda WASH Alliance partners have made concerted efforts to support WASHNUBS in establishment of woodlots to regreen areas most affected.

Ms. Matha Naigaga, stated the central roles of Government in WASH and its interaction with Climate change policies and strategies. ”We can not overlook the role of the private sector and that of government in achieving an  enabling environment for women and girls. ”After all is said and done ,concerns of the Girl’s rights needs to  come out clearly in policies and strategies. ” she also added that Climate Change policies and programs need to be  embedded in school education for better sustainability to nature the future generation.