Strengthening Monitoring and Accountability Chair: Dr Raja Aurangzeb Khan Convenor: WaterAid and UNICEF

Introduction We need more comprehensive and different types of monitoring so we have better information to make decisions and design interventions. – New reports such as Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water (GLAAS) and Country Status Overviews are a very good steps but we still need more information on inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes for South Asia.

Key policy action points Establish a national multi-stakeholder mechanism in each country for monitoring progress at various levels – – To monitor progress against political commitments (using tools like the Traffic Lights). These are the processes. – For reconciling different data sets and monitoring progress against national targets and MDGs. These are the outcomes.

Key policy action points “What does not get measured does not get done at scale”. Therefore agree a few key common indicators for reporting progress at future SACOSANs, including: – handwashing practice – to be included in national surveys (such as MICS and DHS) and Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) – use of improved sanitation and hygiene practices amongst poor and marginalised groups – Number of communities declared as Open Defecation Free – Sanitation facilities in schools including facilities for menstrual hygiene management.

Key policy action points SACOSAN Inter Country Working Group has a key role to play in: setting these indicators supporting countries to prepare plans to operationalise SACOSAN commitments Establish a permanent secretariat for the Inter Country Working Group within SAARC