The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform said that, despite significant strides in the supply of potable water to households, sanitation remains a major concern.
Inge Zaamwani said that 40% of households nationally still practice open defecation.
Held under the theme "Bridging the Gap: Advancing Resilient, Inclusive, and Sustainable Sanitation Solutions and Mitigating Water Resources Pollution," the event aims to strengthen national efforts toward improved sanitation and hygiene services.
Zaamwani noted the significance of the event as an opportunity to evaluate the progress and achievements made thus far while identifying areas that still need improvement.
She advised stakeholders to ensure access to the sanitation gap is bridged by devising ways to expedite and prioritise sanitation programmes and projects.
Her speech was read on her behalf by her deputy, Ruth Masake.
"As we strive to accelerate implementation for access to sanitation at households and institutions, respectively, it is of utmost importance to note that provision of sanitation facilities alone is inadequate if education on behaviour change and awareness campaigns are not carried out in the communities."
The National Sanitation Symposium seeks to advance the Swakopmund Declaration, which calls for accelerated action towards inclusive, sustainable, and resilient sanitation and hygiene services, building on the outcomes of the AfricaSan7 Conference that was hosted in Namibia in 2023.
Pauline Mufeti, the Director of Water Supply and Sanitation Coordination, explained that "with guiding documents in place, our emphasis should now be on actual implementation and coming up with best practices for sustainable solutions to eliminate open defecation."
The Governor of Zambezi, Dorothy Kabula, whose message was delivered on her behalf, said much still needs to be done in terms of sanitation and urged continued efforts.
The ministry launched the National Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy for 2022-2027 at the gathering attended by different stakeholders.