Stakeholders Collaborate to Establish Comprehensive WASH Digital Repository in Malawi
In an effort to address data gaps and improve access to clean water and sanitation, stakeholders in Malawi's WASH sector are joining forces to create a digital repository.
Lilongwe, Malawi - Recognising the critical need for harmonised data and resources in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, stakeholders have embarked on a collaborative effort to establish a comprehensive digital repository dedicated to WASH, writes Tabbu Kitta Kauye, MANA.
The WASH digital repository aims to centralise and organise information related to water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices, with the ultimate goal of improving access to clean water and sanitation in Malawi.
The initiative was discussed during a civil society consultation meeting with stakeholders in Mponela.
Hector Chilimani, a Base Flow Programmes specialist for ecosystems, highlighted the importance of the digital repository in addressing data gaps and facilitating efficient information sharing among WASH programs.
Chilimani emphasised the challenges caused by conflicting statistics and the lack of data harmonization in the sector.
"There have been conflicting statistics of data related to WASH because of the lack of harmonizing the data. As a result, most WASH players have had challenges accessing the right data," Chilimani explained.
The establishment of the digital repository will enable WASH practitioners to learn from one another and access valuable data and insights from previous programs.
Chilimani stressed the significance of preserving processed data to monitor the number of people being served and track improvements accurately.
Symon Msukwa, the Country Director for Pump Aid Beyond Water, highlighted the benefits of the WASH digital repository in streamlining information access and enhancing accountability mechanisms within the sector.
"The fact that we will have a repository that is accessible to everyone means that we will be dealing with mutual accountability mechanisms of understanding who is providing which resources, the mechanism they are using, and how they are going to reach people," Msukwa stated.
The establishment of the WASH digital repository is expected to revolutionise data management and information sharing in the sector, facilitating more efficient and effective implementation of WASH activities while minimising costs associated with searching for crucial information.
The collaboration among stakeholders signifies a collective commitment to improving water, sanitation, and hygiene practises in Malawi.