34 HEALTH AND SANITATION
IAPMO
stable and can maintain peace and justice ( Goal No . 16 ).
Back to the original question : How can IWSH contribute to the SDGs ? It is already setting the cycle in motion by providing water to underserved communities worldwide . All it needs to do is to reinforce and raise awareness about the cycle as a whole .
First , IWSH should strengthen bonds between the water cycle stages . Take sanitation ( Goal No . 4 ) and health ( Goal No . 3 ). We ’ ve
Calvin Cao , IAPMO discussed how handwashing keeps communities healthy , but even with proper facilities many forgo it ( observant public bathrooms users will notice this isn ’ t limited
“ The case study beautifully illustrates Maslow ' s hierarchy of needs .”
to developing countries ). Additionally , many hand washers use incorrect washing techniques . When IWSH installs a new tap , it can work with local officials to spread awareness about how many lives handwashing saves .
Another link IWSH should look to strengthen is that between sanitation ( Goal No . 4 ) and gender equality ( Goal No . 6 ). Remember , women are usually the ones collecting water , and they have unique sanitation needs due to pregnancy and menstruation . Yet in many water projects , only men are consulted and placed in decisionmaking positions , while women are assigned physical labor and maintenance work . The result is that the group that needs water the most has the least say in how it will arrive . This has consequences : the International Water and Sanitation Centre found that water projects carried out without consulting women were less effective and more poorly maintained compared to projects where women were deeply involved . IWSH should ensure it engages with local women when planning future water initiatives .
Finally , in its communications , IWSH should promote not just the impacts of its projects on water security , but also the effects of the whole water cycle it sets in motion . Demonstrating its impact on women ’ s rights , education , and alleviating poverty would drive more donations and attention to IWSH ’ s cause . As Honorine or the thousands of people IWSH has helped can attest , one tap can make all the difference . PA
REGULARS
What ’ s in your toolbox ?
By
Tanya Olckers
We ask plumbers what tools they can ’ t do without . This month we caught up with the guys at Alpha Plumbing in Gauteng .
What is the tool you simply cannot do without ? Is it a business tool ? A philosophical tool ? Or is it an actual tool in your toolbox ? We asked Alpha Plumbing what tools they need to get the job done .
Images by © Plumbing Africa |
Joseph Mokalapa doesn ’ t go anywhere without his pump pliers . It ’ s the most valuable tool in his toolbox . He says , “ You can ’ t fix anything without it !” |
Jan Monyuku always keeps his shifting spanner handy . “ You can ’ t work on anything without a shifting spanner . It loosens pretty much everything .” |
Alfred Myeki says that his most valuable tool is the bakkie he drives . “ It ’ s the most important tool because it gets you to the site where you need to work . And you can pack all your other tools in the back .” PA |
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline September 2024 Volume 30 I Number 7