We realize that this sanitation timeline presents just a tiny fraction of everything available, and the insights developed. As a humble start we want to share the following insights:
A toilet is used daily, but is generally NOT the number one priority in a household, a community, government, donor etc. Hence:
- Actions are needed to prioritise sanitation. This can be done by theatre, marketing techniques as illustrated in this timeline under the Schokland Agreement, demonstrations, etc.
- Multiple Partners are required to make sanitation work. A good example is Finish Mondial where households, the private sector, governments and the finance sector are being approached, involved and trained at the same time
- Incentives are needed to prioritise sanitation, for instance by ‘naming and shaming’ (CLTS), rewarding contractors (UNICEF) or Public Health Volunteers (FinishInK)
- Like when playing billiards, an indirect approach often has better results than a direct approach. Hence, we might : introduce a toilet for guests only; construct a toilet to avoid rain and darkness and provide privacy, dignity and safety.
Different site- and environmental conditions dictate a solution that fits. Hence, there is NO SILVER BULLET, and we need to:
- Develop alternative solutions that differ according to environment, taste, affordability and willingness
- Assure that solutions are ‘fool proof’ as failure is not an option
- Realise solutions that are integrated part of a system, and this system needs to work adequately.
We need to assure that sanitation options are attractive for Small and Medium Enterprises to develop a business, either construction wise, operation and maintenance wise, attractive to empty and where the product can be converted into something that has a value.
