By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, May 22, GNA – A consultative workshop aimed at fostering knowledge-sharing on gender mainstreaming and climate adaptation in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector has been held in Tamale.
It brought together selected engineers, artisans, and technicians, amongst other technical stakeholders from some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Northern Region to help build their capacity in designing and implementing inclusive, and climate-resilient WASH solutions.
It was organised by the Women in WASH Advocacy Network Ghana (WinWASH) in collaboration with CoWater Ghana under the Strengthening Investments in Gender-Responsive Climate Adaptation (SIGRA) project, which is funded by Global Affairs Canada.
Held on the theme: “Climate-Resilient and Gender-Responsive WASH”, the workshop focused on equipping participants with the tools and knowledge to serve as agents of change in addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and gender equity within the WASH sector.
Mrs Nora Ollenu, Coordinator of WinWASH, speaking during the workshop, said it was tailored not only to the participants’ roles as WASH practitioners but also to their potential as change-makers.
She said climate change was no longer a distant threat, adding “It is already disrupting water supply, intensifying floods, drying up boreholes, and rendering infrastructure unusable, particularly in vulnerable communities.”
She highlighted the vital role of engineers and artisans, saying “Your work on the ground, from the placement of rainwater harvesting systems to the design of low-maintenance latrines and the choice of piping materials determines whether communities will have safe water or face scarcity and disease.”
Mrs Ollenu emphasised the need for sustainability and inclusivity in WASH systems, saying “A WASH system that is not gender-responsive is not sustainable.”
She said, “We must design with women and girls in mind, locating hand washing stations near kitchens, ensuring privacy in latrines, and involving women artisans and engineers in leadership and design decisions.”
Professor Simon Mariwah of the Department of Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Cape Coast underscored access to WASH services to be fundamental to health, dignity, and gender equity, including the empowerment of women.
He, however, noted the existing disparities in access and called for inclusivity that addressed the needs of women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
Mr Oduro Donkor, a WASH Specialist, called for the adoption of climate-smart approaches in WASH infrastructure and emphasised the importance of building local capacity and encouraging knowledge exchange.
He also called for increased investment in resilient WASH projects and stronger collaboration amongst government, NGOs, and communities.
Reverend Joseph Banyen, SIGRA Project Officer for the Northern Region, expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and urged the participating artisans and engineers to incorporate climate-resilient and gender-responsive practices into their work.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Christian Akorlie