Staff Writer
Namibia continues to face serious sanitation challenges despite improvements in access to drinking water, deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Ruth Masake has said.
Masake made the remarks in Windhoek during the joint commemoration of World Wetlands Day and World Water Day.
She said sanitation remains a major concern even though access to potable water has improved in recent years.
About 40% of Namibian households still do not have access to basic toilet facilities and many continue to practise open defecation.
Masake said the situation raises concerns about public health and human dignity.
“These startling figures calls for concerted efforts, investment and technical capacity to redress these social inequalities and national sanitation crisis,” she said.
The deputy minister said Namibia has made progress in improving access to safe drinking water.
Nationally, about 91.4% of households now have access to potable water, compared with 80% recorded in the 2011 census.
Access to water is highest in urban areas where about 98% of households have yard connections.
In rural areas, about 87.5% of households have access to potable water, while around 90% of households in informal settlements rely on communal standpipes.
Masake said Namibia remains one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa and continues to face recurring droughts.
She said water shortages often force women and girls to travel long distances to collect water.
The burden of water scarcity affects education, health and economic opportunities, particularly for women and girls.
Masake said improving water access is closely linked to gender equality and social justice.
Reliable access to water protects health, supports education and allows women and girls more time for economic activities.
She said government is expanding water infrastructure through programmes such as the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme.
The programme focuses on improving bulk water supply, rural water services and sanitation in schools and health facilities.
Masake said achieving full access to safe water and sanitation requires cooperation beyond government.
She called for greater investment, stronger technical capacity and a broader approach that promotes gender equality in the water sector.
Masake said women should play a greater role in water management structures such as water point committees, basin management committees and planning forums.
She also highlighted the importance of protecting wetlands and water ecosystems, noting that they support biodiversity, livelihoods and cultural heritage across Namibia.
Masake said safeguarding these natural resources is important for sustainable development and future water security.
