Staff Reporter
ALTHOUGH most Namibian households have access to water, sanitation remains a major challenge, with about 40% of households still lacking basic toilet facilities.
“While access to water is a success, sanitation remains a national crisis, with Namibia having some of the lowest levels of sanitation coverage in Southern Africa. Approximately 40% of Namibian households still do not have access to basic toilet facilities and often practise open defecation, which is recognised as a major public health and dignity issue,” said Ruth Masake, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.
She made these remarks during the recent joint commemoration of World Wetlands Day and World Water Day 2026. World Wetlands Day was observed under the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage”, while World Water Day was commemorated under the theme “Water and Gender Equality – Where Water Flows, Equality Grows”.
“This year’s theme compels us to reflect on how water scarcity deepens gender inequality. Equitable access to water is not just about survival; it is about empowerment. When women, girls and less privileged members of our society have reliable access to safe water, they gain time, dignity and opportunity. Addressing water scarcity is therefore a stepping stone to gender equality and social inclusion,” she added.
Masake stressed that strengthening water security remains critical, noting that Namibia is one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa and frequently experiences droughts. These conditions, she added, often cause water points to dry up, forcing women in particular to travel longer distances in search of water.
Despite these challenges, Masake noted that Namibia has made considerable progress in expanding access to potable water, with 91.4% of households nationwide now having access to safe drinking water.
“At national level, 91.4% of households have access to safe potable water, up from 80% in the 2011 census. This figure is broken down as follows: in urban areas, 98% of households have a yard water connection; in rural areas, 87.5% of households have access to potable water, although some rural communities continue to walk long distances to water points; while 90% of peri-urban or informal settlements have access to safe drinking water, mostly through communal standpipes,” Masake revealed.
However, she said the sanitation situation remains at crisis level, calling for increased investment, stronger technical capacity and coordinated efforts to address the country’s sanitation challenges and social inequalities.
“Water and sanitation represent the two pillars of human existence: the preservation of life and the restoration of dignity. By decisively addressing water scarcity and the gender disparities in access to water and sanitation, we are upholding a fundamental right and ensuring that the promise of dignity is extended to every Namibian, regardless of gender,” Masake added.
