2. Country Profile Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country in 1971  Area: 147,570 sq. km  Population: 153.3 million (72% rural, 28% urban)  GDP growth rate: 6.51  GDP per capita: USD 1,235  GNI per capita USD 1,314

3. Institutional framework, legal Instrument National Level (Policy, Project approval) Union Parishad (Rural) and Ward level (Urban) Lowest Tier Ministry of LGRD&C PSUPSU Sanitation Secretariat Agency Level (development & implementation) DPHELGEDWASAs City Corpo- rations Upazila Parishads Pourashavas LGI Level (development & implementation)

4. Policy and Planning Framework The National Policy for Safe Water Supply and Sanitation 1998  Major guiding document of the WSS sector The National Sanitation Strategy, 2005 National Strategy for Water Supply and Sanitation, 2014  (Incorporates the Pro-Poor Strategy, HtR Strategy, Hygiene Promotion Strategy, Cost Sharing Strategy) Sector Development Plan (FY 2011-25) Medium Term Budget Framework (MTBF) approach Long ‐ term Perspective Plan (2010 ‐ 21) Seventh Five ‐ Year Plan (FY 2016 ‐ 20)

5. Baseline Coverage Status (2003) 33% improved sanitation coverage 42% open defecation 19.3% people wash hand with water and soap after defecation (source: National baseline survey 2003 and MICS 2003 report)

6. Current Status and Driving Forces Improved Sanitation: 61% Open defecation: 1% 40% people wash hand with water and soap after defecation Strong leadership of MoLGRD&C Dissemination of sanitation promotion techniques like CLTS Local government institutions’ strong role Government- NGO collaboration at all levels Long-term assistance from donors/ development partners Media campaigns Technological innovations & creative marketing approaches Easy access to latrine materials and skilled masons

7. Investment Made

8. Social and Technological Advancements Bangladesh addresses the sanitation problem recognizing that  Changing social, cultural and religious norms are central to changing the practice  Emphasis on stopping open defecation, investment in hygiene promotion and social intermediation and provision of affordable sanitation options to the poor Women’s inclusion in the decision-making process introduced WASH in schools programme targeted promoting good hygiene and sanitation behavior of school children Sanitation loans to the households in rural areas by NGOs

9. Good Examples Building Sanitation Markets Exclusive budget allocation by LGIs Women WASH Platform (WWP) Technical innovation in FSM Sanitation for HtR areas and people Adolescent girls as WASH entrepreneurs

10. Gaps and Challenges: Coverage and Technology In the Hard to Reach Areas (HtR), only 35.8% families have improved sanitation facilities. Hygiene issues and total sanitation coverage still remained as challenges. Onsite sanitation facilities with concerns of emptying and disposal of pit contents. In urban areas, septic tanks are poorly designed and maintained; and lack of proper FSM services is aggravating the situation Adequate funding and efforts around research & development, documentation and dissemination remain as challenges for technological advancement.

11. Gaps and Challenges: Health and Hygiene Bangladesh has reduced the child mortality rate by more than half, from 133 per 1000 live births in 1990 to 38 per 1000 in 2015 The infant mortality (103.5 in 1990 & 31 in 2015) and neonatal mortality have also declined by around half (54.8 in 1990 & 23 in 2015). Challenge is to ensure effective coordination between the two different ministries (i.e., MLGRD&C and MHFP) for the implementation of primary health-care services in rural and urban areas There is critical shortage of trained health providers with appropriate skill- mix in the public sector There is a persistent low annual allocation to health sector

12. Gaps and Challenges: Equity and rights WASH investment in geographically difficult area like char, haor (wetland), coastal belt and hilly areas is much lower compared to other areas. 71% of WASH budget of annul development programme went to urban areas and 29% in rural areas There is a gap in ensuring appropriate toilet technologies for disabled people at affordable cost

13. Sanitation beyond MDG The SDG for WASH (Goal 6) is in line with our existing national prioritization processes in Bangladesh. Example:  The GoB’s long-term Perspective Plan (2010-21) attaches a high priority on ensuring access to drinking water, sanitation and good hygiene practice for all.  The medium-term and long-term planning of SDP are in line with SDG targets. The sewerage coverage will be increased in urban areas including innovative offsite sanitation technologies The rural areas will see an increase in the use of advanced sanitation options including use of septic tanks

14. Sustainability and Overcoming the Barriers Bangladesh will continue to strive hard to maintain the equity and protect the rights of poor, marginalized and hard to rich community and thus ensure sustainability. Special emphasis will be given to all educational institutions and health care facilities (primary) to ensure adequate and improved water, sanitation and hygiene and monitor the progress. Government investment in WASH is expected to increase in future considering the past trend.

15. CONCLUSIONS