Sub-Saharan Africa - Zambia
The capital of Zambia, Lusaka, is facing challenges providing clean and safe drinking water for its rapidly growing population. The Millennium Challenge Account Zambia project focused on improving water and sanitation services, drainage services, and waste disposal in densely populated low-income areas of Lusaka with the ultimate aim of improving public health. Cowater implemented a technical assistance project in social inclusion and gender mainstreaming (SIGM) and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) to ensure pro-poor and gender sensitive water and sanitation service delivery. Cowater strengthened the capacity of Lusaka City Council and the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company to develop and implement gender mainstreaming and social inclusion related policies and operational procedures. Cowater train over 500 staff and provided ongoing mentorship. This resulted in enhanced staff capacity, budget planning and incentives to provide services to poor and vulnerable populations, improve the affordability and sustainability of their services, and integrate social and gender inclusion across their work.
