Punjab Assembly approves resolution on Open Defecation Free (ODF) Punjab – A landmark success on Policy advocacy

With the passage of resolution by Punjab Assembly on December 4, 2018 for the provision of toilet facility to people across the province, Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) in collaboration and support of Water Aid Pakistan, has added another feather to their successful policy advocacy at provincial level. The resolution in Punjab Assembly was tabled by Members of the Punjab Assembly from across the party lines as a result of continuous and consistent rounds of policy engagement on this serious issue concerning public health and hygiene of millions of people across the province.

The resolution that was tabled by 08 members of the Punjab Assembly and endorsed by majority of legislators. The Resolutions says that more than 40% population of the province, especially the rural areas of under developed districts of the province including Rajanpur, Muzzafargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan (DI Khan), lack the access to toilets and face severe challenges related to basic health and hygiene. Hence, measures should be taken to ensure the toilet facility to all in the province, the resolution demands.

The success has not only provided SPO, Water-Aid and all the dedicated members of policy advocacy team and the concerned parliamentarians an opportunity to celebrate this important breakthrough but also been a source of encouragement for continued resolve to improve the lives of the people at grassroots level.