Session Proponent: Emma Coombes (Engineers Without Borders)

Ensuring access to safe drinking water is a challenge to many communities in Kiribati. With sea level rise putting pressure on aquifers and the advent of climate patterns such as the recent ‘triple dip’ la nina, improving their health outcomes can be a real challenge for some communities. This has led to conversations amongst many local and international development practitioners about how we can do water management better; both in terms of being more inclusive but also to empower communities to ‘champion’ the management of their own resources. This session aims to explore ways in which this can be achieved and hear from practitioners in the sector about the risks and benefits of alternative approaches.

This session will introduce a case study of a project delivered by a social enterprise called Tobaraoi Green Living, The Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), the Kiribati Local Government Association (KiLGA) and supported by Engineers Without Borders New Zealand. Tobaraoi, KiLGA and the MHMS are currently working with the Tabiteuea North Island Council and groups of new community “WaSH Champions” to improve health outcomes in the community by starting conversations around water governance.

There is time between now and the abstract submission to also include another case study from Kiribati here as well.

This case study will be followed with a discussion on the perceptions of women’s and men’s roles in water management and maintenance, highlighting the traditional versus emerging roles and the impact of gender dynamics on community participation and decision-making processes. By engaging women in household-level water testing and discussions, we will explore strategies for involving women and the subsequent health outcomes, the benefit of which is evidenced by reduced E. coli contamination and improved public health. In addition, the session will examine the installation of Solar distillation (SSD) units and the lessons learned around community operation, maintenance and ownership of these units.

The discussion will be delivered by Emma Coombe, the International Programmes Manager from EWBNZ. The format will encourage interactive dialogue among participants, with the opportunity for Q&A, information sharing, and key takeaways. The session seeks to attract a diverse range of contributors and participants, including development practitioners, students with a keen interest in this area, water management professionals.