Hello Barrie,

Your questions touch on very important topics, this is well appreciated. My understanding is that there was a water policy before this one, the Water Policy of 1994, which was later revised in 2010. However, the previous policy did not fully address sanitation, Hence, the enactment of the Water Supply and Sanitation Policy of 2020.

Here is a link to the 1994, 2010 and 2020 policies:  www.mwdsep.gov.zm/?page_id=5164

One of the objectives of the 2020 policy focuses specifically on the integration of gender, disability, special groups etc. in all water supply and sanitation programmes and activities in order to ensure equity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. I hope that helps?  Though the level of inclusiveness of illiterate women, girls, and those with disabilities is not specified. I can only assume that the specific level or extent of inclusivity is addressed in the implementation plan annexed within the document, The implementation plan makes mention of a  communication and advocacy strategy that involves identifying cross-cutting and emerging issues in Water Supply and Sanitation.

Regards,
Chaiwe

Thanks Chaiwe for letting know about the new water policy. My questions is was there a previous? If yes, was an evaluation done on the previous to inform the new. What the level of inclusion of illiterate women, girls and persons with disability?. I asked not to pull down rather to understand the inclusivity and to learn from it.

Thanks
WMT Barrie

Dear All,

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Zambia's new Water Supply and Sanitation Policy is now in the public domain and can be accessed at this link: www.mwdsep.gov.zm/?wpfb_dl=1217. For Zambia, this policy is the first policy to adequately address the Sanitation sector. 

The policy formulation was guided by the following international and national documents and instruments:

1. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
2. Zambia's Vision 2030
3. Zambia's 7th National Development Plan
4. The National Decentralisation Policy
5. The National Water Policy 2010

The policy was developed aimed at addressing the following objectives: 

• To provide the legal and institutional framework for efficient, effectiveand sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) service delivery.
• To strengthen and implement effective coordination and managementsystems that are accountable and responsive.
• To optimize governance structures and guidelines for WSS services forenhanced and sustainable service delivery.
• To implement strategies for development, maintenance, rehabilitation,modernization, expansion, and operation of infrastructure for WSS with
  appropriate technology.
• To provide a framework for improved resource planning, mobilization,utilization and reporting for sustainable and equitable WSS service
  delivery. 
• To improve public awareness and stakeholder participation in WSS mattersand hygiene promotion as well as sustainable use of natural resources. 
• To integrate governance, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AcquiredImmunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), gender, disability, special groups,
  nutrition, environment, climate change, water security, and disaster risk
  management in all WSS programmes and activities in order to ensure equity,
  social inclusion and environmental sustainability. 

Regards,
Chaiwe