Footprints Project

A total of
8520
Travelers
donated
$30021.23
(100% funded)
to help improve
Water & Sanitation
impacting
10000
people
in
Papua New Guinea

Project background

Access to safe drinking water and sanitation are human rights, essential for life, health, dignity, empowerment and prosperity. WaterAid embraces the principles of equality and non-discrimination to ensure universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene. In recognition of gender based inequalities that prevent women and girls from enjoying their right to water and sanitation on an equal basis to men and boys, WaterAid works to strengthen systems that contribute to broader gender equality and social inclusion.

The project recognises government as a critical change agent, working with them to design and implement a WASH plan that reflects their priorities, capacity development needs and service delivery approaches. Through developing and implementing a gender action plan, the project seeks to empower women as leaders in the sector and support people with disabilities to have greater voice in decision making.

The project promotes a learning orientated approach to monitoring and performance. Lessons and insights are used to inform course corrections, guide project direction and be shared with sector stakeholders to influence implementation of the PNG National WASH Policy.

Project overview

Objective 1: Increase access to use of universal, equitable and sustainable WASH services.

Outcome 1.1. Technical support provided to enable effective sector coordination and decision-making.
Outcome 1.2. Water safety planning and support services improved in target communities.
Outcome 1.3. Monitoring system developed including indicators for WASH and timely collection of data.

Objective 2: Empower women as leaders in the sector and ensure people with disabilities have greater voice in decision making.

Outcome 2.1. Gender analysis and appraisal of WASH and knowledge completed to identify gaps.
Outcome 2.2. Gender, social inclusion, sanitation and hygiene behaviour messaging spread in the district.
Outcome 2.3. Qualitative analysis of change relating to WASH, gender and social inclusion conducted.

Objective 3: Uptake and use of evidence to strengthen sector systems and increase the use of universal, equitable and sustainable WASH services.

Outcome 3.1. Annual operational plans developed to implement the WASH and Gender Action Plan Institutional arrangements.
Outcome 3.2. Capacity building response, including gender training, developed with the service delivery.
Outcome 3.3. Annual sector learning events supported in Wewak and nationally.

Partners and community involvement

This project is implemented through a consortium with Australian and local organizations. WaterAid Australia as a leading organisation works with the following organisations:

Wewak District Development Authority: sector coordination, planning, service delivery and monitoring.
East Sepik Provincial Government: provincial coordination, communication, collaboration and learning amongst districts and stakeholders.
East Sepik Council of Women: implementation of the Gender Action Plan, driving promotion of women’s leadership, empowerment and participation in decision making.
Assembly of Disabled Persons and Wewak DPO: national advocacy agenda to embed socially inclusive approaches in WASH policy implementation and provide technical expertise and training on inclusive WASH.
Christian Health Services: development of capacity and sharing of knowledge as a process for promoting sanitation and hygiene behaviours.
National Research Institute: action-research exploring women in leadership and gender based violence as related to WASH sector systems and services.
National Department of Planning and Monitoring: national learning events for sector stakeholders to share experiences and debate policy implications.
National Department of Provincial and Local-Level Government Affairs: engagement of provincial and district administrations.

Part of a larger strategy

WaterAid is a global leader on equitable and inclusive WASH and a gender justice champion. Delivering this project presents an opportunity to leverage our global expertise and drive a more strategic WASH and gender equality change agenda across the Pacific. We utilise global experience to contribute to strengthening national WASH systems to better address gender and social inclusion; and generate deeper evidence and learning.

WaterAid leverages its expertise to drive sector improvements, capture robust evidence, and generate learning and knowledge which have a broader application to regional WASH efforts. It allows to facilitate collaboration and learning between national and local government representatives, local CSOs, private sector actors and global and local research institutes. WaterAid uses project evidence to collaborate with Australian water industry actors involved in international development.

The funding requested complements a larger funding provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian Government for a 5-year project.