WASH & the COVID-19 Pandemic Virtual Symposium

Workshop: Risking everything for your safety and protection: sanitation workers on the frontline

During the WASH and COVID-19 Pandemic Virtual Symposium, SNV and partners convened a workshop on COVID-19 and sanitation workers on the frontline.

Whilst sanitation workers are considered essential to achieve WASH SDG targets, their working and living conditions are seldom discussed in WASH decision-making and planning spaces. Many sanitation workers toil daily without personal protective equipment. Few enjoy job security and have access to preventative and remedial health care and social protection. They have been vulnerable then, and more intensely now, as they cope with the challenges of COVID-19.

Similar to health practitioners, the pandemic has shown to the world the importance of sanitation workers as frontline professionals. The health and proper functioning of societies rest on their backs. During this workshop, panelists will share: practical government-led experiences and learning from different (Asian) countries in supporting and motivating sanitation workers to deliver services in the face of the pandemic, and recommendations to minimise the occupational health and risks taken by sanitation workers so that societies take better care of the workers that take care of them, and that societies are better prepared for future emergencies.

Convenors

Workshop Recording

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Workshop Resources

Workshop Introduction PPT

Workshop Introduction PPT

pdf 2.43MB
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Presentation by Uttam K Saha (Practical Action Bangladesh): Research on the impact of COVID-19 on waste and sanitation frontliners in Bangladesh

Presentation by Uttam K Saha (Practical Action Bangladesh): Research on the impact of COVID-19 on waste and sanitation frontliners in Bangladesh

pdf 2.70MB
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Presentation by Shahidul Islam (FSM Network Bangladesh): National Advocacy for Sanitation Workers in Bangladesh

Presentation by Shahidul Islam (FSM Network Bangladesh): National Advocacy for Sanitation Workers in Bangladesh

pdf 6.46MB
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Presentation by Lena G. Saptalena (SNV) :Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Sanitation workers in Indonesia

Presentation by Lena G. Saptalena (SNV) :Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Sanitation workers in Indonesia

pdf 9.08MB
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Presentation by Aasim Mansuri (CWAS, CEPT University): Improving safety of Sanitation Workers in Wai Municipal Council of India

Presentation by Aasim Mansuri (CWAS, CEPT University): Improving safety of Sanitation Workers in Wai Municipal Council of India

pdf 5.44MB
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Presentation by Kanika Singh (WaterAid): Global advocacy for health, safety and dignity of workers in sanitation

Presentation by Kanika Singh (WaterAid): Global advocacy for health, safety and dignity of workers in sanitation

pdf 1.65MB
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Small Group Discussion Outputs

Small Group Discussion Outputs

pdf 637.15KB
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Extra resources

  1. SNV Urban Sanitation Resources ( link )
  2. Health, safety and dignity of sanitation workers: An initial assessment (link)
  3. Virtual exhibition on sanitation workers ( link )
  4. Slidedeck on study of  Sanitation worker safety in Wai ( link )
  5. Flyer on PPEs for Sanitation workplace safety CEPT University ( link )
  6. Training workshop for sanitation worker safety in Wai ( link )
  7. Preparedness of Wai and Sinnar Municipal Councils for COVID19 and Sanworker safety ( link , video link )
  8. Compendium of Good Practices by Small and Medium Towns of Maharashtra for Covid response and protection of sanworkers ( link )
  9. Citywide Inclusive sanitation in Wai (link , video link )
  10. Hardship of Waste Workers in Bangladesh during Coronavirus Pandemic revealed – Practical action ( link )

The online symposium WASH & the COVID-19 Pandemic: Responses for recovery and resilience is a knowledge-sharing event of Water and WASH Futures. Water and WASH Futures is a partnership activity of the Australian Aid program and International WaterCentre; this symposium is delivered with the partnership of Water for Women Fund and Grand Challenges CanadaFor more information, visit washfutures.com

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WASH & the COVID-19 Pandemic Virtual Symposium Resources

Click here to view resources and recordings from the WASH & the COVID-19 Pandemic Virtual Symposium

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