Rawalpindi: (Parliament Times) The representatives of CSOs deliberated and identified avenues for strengthening coordination and collaboration amongst the Civil Society Organization contributing to the WASH Sector in Pakistan. An effective sector coordination and collaboration mechanism was highlighted as a critical milestone for the realization of the SDG’s 2030 Agenda of the Country. In this regards CSO WASH Coalition was agreed to be formed with joint CSO vision, objectives and Coordination Framework.
The meeting hosted by WSSCC was attended by Senior WASH Sector experts Syed Ayub Qutab Executive Director PIEDAR, Aftab Ahmed, CEO, HRDS Foundation, Ikram Ullah Khan Senior Manager IRC, Syed Shah Nasir, Executive Director IRSP, Masoor Ahmed, Ex World Bank WASH Expert, Zarqa Khan SRSP, Abdul Salam NRSP, Dr. Deedar Nabi Assistant Professor NUST, Ali Mushtaq Shifa Foundation, Zulfqar Ali AHKMT, Dr. Tariq Mehmood CEO CRIP and other stakeholders. The WASH experts raised concerns over widening gap among CSOs and the Government and gave recommendations for bridging this gap.
Chairing CSO National Workshop, National Coordinator WASH, Ms. Tanya Khan stressed the need for collaborated efforts between all stakeholders i.e. development organizations, private sector academia and media to support the government in SDG’s planning process with references to SDG 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3. She further elaborated that this mechanism will support in strengthening avenues such as knowledge management, sharing of best practices, Learning & innovations, joint advocacy initiatives, capacity building, mainstreaming gender into WASH agenda with special focus on MHM, harmonization of data & reporting alignment with the SDG’s. CSO WASH Coalition will provide platform to the member organizations in raising voices and sensitizing the policy makers to effectively plan and execute water and sanitation initiatives benefitting the marginalized and hard to reach population. It was agreed that an evidence based resource directory will be developed with reference to SDG 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 for effective use by the government and other stakeholders. A website was also agreed to be launched for sharing of best practices, learning and innovations.
Ms. Tanya Khan stressed for adoption of collaborative behavior by the government in the SDG planning process and involves meaningful participation of all the constituencies in achieving universal coverage.
The participants unanimously agreed to extend their valuable contributions in strengthening the CSO WASH Coalition and making it an effective platform. Efforts would be made in identifying and mobilizing other CSOs at national and provincial level to be part of this CSO Coalition.
