Launch of BabyWASH Coalition

News

The newly launched BabyWASH Coalition is a five-year initiative comprising organisations across civil society, United Nations (UN) organisations, funders, academics and the private sector. It is focused on increasing essential integration between programming, policy-making and funding in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); early childhood development (ECD); nutrition; and maternal newborn and child health MNCH), to improve child well-being in the first 1000 days. 

It is built on the premise that half a million children and 30,000 mothers annually could survive and thrive through better and more integrated approaches to maternal and young child health.  WASH is often missing from nutrition, ECD, and MNCH programming, despite a growing evidence base on the need for linkages. There are many policy, attitudinal, and funding barriers to integration. The coalition aims to leverage its collective strengths to break down these barriers.  The coalition is a direct response to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for increased partnerships and inter-sectoral collaborations, and is in support of the Every Woman Every Children Global Strategy, which has a newly enhanced focus on multi-sector actions.  

Main coalition objectives

1)      Develop and disseminate lessons and guidance for programme integration

Besides being a source of information and case studies of successful integration, the Coalition will create a toolkit for programme implementers on how to successfully integrate BabyWASH interventions into their programming and work collaboratively with other sectors and organisations.

2)      Define integration metrics

The Coalition will use current research and success stories to define the key components and metrics of beneficial integration. Where appropriate, the Coalition will assist in planning pilot programmes to validate metrics.

3)      Advocate for stronger focus on integrated care in the first 1,000 days of life

The Coalition will use case studies and evidence to advocate for more integration between sectors. Funders and policy-makers will be targeted to minimise current barriers to integration.

Who can be involved?

The Coalition is open to all organisations interested in promoting improved maternal, newborn and young child health outcomes through increased sector integration. The Coalition is especially interested in finding national champions who can advocate for or implement BabyWASH interventions at a local level.

Interested organisations can join the Coalition as a Community of Practice (CoP) member or as a dedicated member of one of the workstreams. CoP members commit to providing information and case studies for the monthly resource newsletter, staying up to date on BabyWASH news, and being an advocate for integration in their circles of influence. They will also be asked to review materials created by each of the workstreams. Organisations involved in one of the workstreams will meet monthly to move Coalition deliverables forward and work in a dedicated team on advocacy, programme guidance, and metrics for integration.

For more information, or to join the Coalition, visit www.babywashcoalition.org or contact Peter Hynes, BabyWASH Coalition Coordinator, email: admin@babywashcoalition.org or follow: #BabyWASH