The session will focus on the intrinsic relation between water and health. The starting point is that access to clean water is essential for maintaining good health and is crucial for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Adequate access to clean water helps to reduce waterborne illnesses and improve hygiene, which has a positive impact on health and well-being. In addition, clean water and sanitation are essential for maintaining healthy environments, which can help to support overall health and well-being. To improve global health and lessen the burden of disease, it is crucial to invest in clean water, water related legislation and policies, as well as sanitary infrastructure.

More precisely, the session will discuss current challenges and provide effective community-based solutions.

The first issue is the evident impact that access to clean water and sanitation has on women and girls:

1)  Young women and girls are often disproportionately affected by the lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. In many African communities, they are responsible for collecting water and may have to travel long distances to do so, which can expose them to physical and sexual violence.

2) Improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene has a positive impact on young women’s and girls’ health and well-being. For example, improved menstrual hygiene in schools, helps girls to stay in school and achieve their full potential.

3) Investing in young women and girls’ access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene have broader benefits for communities and society as a whole. For example, access to water empowers girls and women to play a greater role in decision-making and contribute to economic development.

While still  focusing on women and girls, access to WASH needs to be mainstreamed at all levels and in all other development sectors, This would include looking at the specific needs and challenges of target populations and brainstorm how to address issues such as water quality, availability and accessibility, as well as sanitation infrastructure and hygiene behaviors in institutional and public environments such as schools, hospitals, market places But also access to WASH is extremely important for alle economic development.

Regarding water and climate change, during this session, Amref will focus on the adaptation side of water, by discussing how to harness the resources available and exploring how to increase innovation in order to use WASH efficiently. This will include a conversation around adaptation strategies and solutions that address the specific water-related challenges and opportunities presented by climate change at a community level. More specifically, by improving infrastructure and governance, and fostering community resilience and participation. We’ll discuss how to connect with decision-makers and stakeholders most effectively, to ensure that accountability is upheld and that adaptation measures are incorporated into larger climate and development policies and strategies.

The conversation on the intersection between water, climate and health will be rounded off through a panel discussion, consisting of experts from different sectors, including public health, water management, and climate adaptation. where we’ll discuss the ways in which their work intersects and the challenges and opportunities they face in addressing water, climate, and health issues.

Finally, Amref will amplify African voices during the UN Water Conference by amplifying the messages and recommendations of African stakeholders and champions at the conference, and to provide support and resources to help them engage effectively within the policy space as well as the community level.