Advancing Gender Equity Through Inclusive Water Solutions: Insights from the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2024

Pharm. Dennis Aizobu, Managing Director of SFH Access to Health Ltd, made a significant contribution at the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2024 during the Breakout Session on “The Power of Clean: Gender Equity in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) for Sustainable Poverty Solutions.” His presentation centered around gender-inclusive water solutions and their vital role in reducing poverty. With a focus on addressing the specific needs of women and vulnerable communities, Pharm. Aizobu emphasized the importance of incorporating gender equity into water supply and sanitation policies.

One of the key points raised by Pharm. Aizobu was the need for sustainable behavior change communication around water hygiene. By engaging communities, particularly women, in shaping water sanitation practices, long-term solutions can be developed that lead to healthier lifestyles. He stressed that beyond infrastructure, behavioral approaches to water hygiene must be tailored to meet gender-specific needs, ensuring that clean water is not just accessible, but also used effectively and sustainably.

Pharm. Aizobu also advocated for multisectoral pathway coordination, emphasizing that collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society is critical for driving lasting change in water and sanitation practices. This coordinated approach ensures that all stakeholders are aligned in bridging gender gaps in access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services. By focusing on women’s involvement, multisectoral partnerships can empower communities to take charge of their own water hygiene systems.

The summit, hosted by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), gathered experts including Dr. Boluwatife Onabolu, Professor of Practice at the University of Johannesburg, Ms. Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, John Makina, Country Director of OXFAM International, and Ms. Joy Aderele, Country Director of Self Help Africa. Together, they explored innovative strategies for promoting gender equity in WASH systems as a pathway to poverty reduction.

Through these collaborative efforts, the summit underscored the importance of gender-responsive solutions in lifting communities out of poverty. Pharm. Aizobu and other participants reaffirmed that addressing gender disparities in access to clean water and sanitation is essential for sustainable development. SFH Access to Health Ltd is proud to be at the forefront of this movement, championing innovative strategies that not only improve access to clean water but also foster gender equity in vulnerable communities.