Kenya's progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 has been slow, with only 59% and 29 % water coverage and sanitation, respectively (JMP, 2019). Sewered sanitation is currently available to only about 3.9 million people in 26 counties with 61% of this being within Nairobi City County. This, therefore, implies that 21 counties lack any systems for waste management (WASREB, 2020), whilst funding for sanitation remains low. With less than ten years to go, Kenya must act fast if it is to achieve water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Women and youth are largely responsible for household water, sanitation and hygiene management and bear a disproportionate burden when these basic services are lacking. However, they are often left out of critical discussions and decisions relating to water and sanitation.
There is evidence that women and youth participation in water and sanitation decision-making and governance can lead to their social and political empowerment and can enhance performance outcomes for the household and community.
There is a need to invest in developing the next generation of water and sanitation leaders through fostering partnerships among training institutions, water utilities and counties to encourage professionals to study water and sanitation, and water resource management, and move into technical and leadership roles.
Overall Goal
The overall goal of the conference will be to enable stakeholders to share good practices, deliberate on prevailing challenges, and formulate strategies to leverage youth and women potential in order to accelerate realization of universal access to potable water and safely managed sanitation services.
Conference Theme
Unlocking potentials of Women and Youth for sustainable water and sanitation services
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS, EXHIBITORS & CONVENOR SESSIONS
Deadline for submission: Extended to March 30th, 2021
Submissions are welcome for Exhibitions, Oral and Poster presentations. To apply for a Convenor sessions, please download "Convenor Session Application form" and send completed form to waspaywc2021@gmail.com
Download Convenor Session Application Form
CALL FOR YOUTH & WOMEN INNOVATION AWARD
The award seeks to recognize innovative solutions from youth and women in Kenya that promote access to water and sanitation services that make a difference in promoting healthy, safe, and productive lives for all. For more information see here.
Specific Objectives
Conference Sub-Themes
The conference objectives will be achieved through the following conference sub-themes informed by the United Nations' SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework, the Kenya Vision 2030 and the Big 4 Agenda.
1.Promotion of good governance in water and sanitation through inclusion of youth and women
2.Innovative and optimised financing opportunities for youth and women to accelerate access to water and sanitation for all
3.Capacity Development and Research to optimise the untapped youth and women potential
4.Leveraging Big Data and Information in water and sanitation by youth and women for accelerated access to water and sanitation
5.Innovations, Technologies and Markets opportunities for youth and women to improve availability and access of potable water and safe sanitation for all
6.Health and Environment: Epidemic/Pandemic, Emergency and Climate Change preparedness and recovery in Water and Sanitation sector