Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Leader, McHenry Venaani, has tabled a motion in the National Assembly that seeks to mobilise resources, raise awareness, and implement comprehensive sanitation initiatives that will safeguard the health and well-being of Namibians.

According to data from the World Health Organisation and UNICEF's Joint Monitoring Programme of 2020, Namibia ranks sixth in the world in open defecation, with a startling 47% of the population affected.

This has caught the attention of PDM Leader McHenry Venaani, who has highlighted the urgent need to address open defecation, particularly in rural areas where the practice is most prevalent.

"The practice of open defecation means that less than half of Namibia's 2.5 million citizens have access to proper sanitation facilities that safely separate waste from human contact, while 5% resort to inadequate facilities such as open pits, buckets, and hanging latrines."

Venaani said open defecation not only poses significant health risks, but it also affects public health, making it a matter of paramount concern.

"This condition puts Namibians, especially children, at risk. Diarrhoea, the second leading cause of death among children under five in Namibia, is closely linked to poor sanitation. Sanitation-related issues like malnutrition and stunted growth are widespread in the country, compared to 15% in urban areas."

Venaani's motion highlights the need for better accountability and efficient use of funds in sanitation projects.

It also calls for greater awareness and education campaigns to change cultural practices that contribute to open defecation.