Staff Reporter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ALTHOUGH most Namibian households have access to water, sanitation remains a major challenge, with about 40% of households still lacking basic toilet facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile 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,\u201d said Ruth Masake, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201cWetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage\u201d, while World Water Day was commemorated under the theme \u201cWater and Gender Equality \u2013 Where Water Flows, Equality Grows\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis year\u2019s 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,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt 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,\u201d Masake revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, she said the sanitation situation remains at crisis level, calling for increased investment, stronger technical capacity and coordinated efforts to address the country\u2019s sanitation challenges and social inequalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWater 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,\u201d Masake added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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. \u201cWhile 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 …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":391439,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-391436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n