Kasungu T/A gets Open Defecation Free status
Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwase’s and his subjects’ effort to combat open defecation in his area–Malawi’s central district of Kasungu– has finally seen the T/A attaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
T/A Mwase, who has been recognized by the government, is the first T/A to attain such a status.
According to the ministry of health, the T/A is mainly hailed for his effort to ensure that each household in all 72 villages under his jurisdiction has access to a safe and private toilet.
Government and its partners have been supporting various stakeholders, traditional leaders and community members, including women, to raise awareness and work towards achieving the open defecation status.
Relevant district or village level officers and committees are involved to verify that villages and TAs are truly open defecation free.
“It is against this background that the Government of Malawi and its partners congratulate T/A Mwase and members of the community in the area, especially women, for their hard work to attain full ODF status,” said Henry Chimbali, Ministry of Health spokesperson. .
Activities to celebrate T/A Mwase’s attainment of ODF status took place on Monday, August 4 his headquarters in the district.
“As we join the communities of T/A Mwase in Kasungu in celebrating their ODF status, the Ministry of Health is therefore encouraging all traditional and religious leaders to involve and empower families and heads of households to take a leading role in promoting sanitation and hygiene and ensuring their communities are open defecation free,” said Chimbali.
