Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development Visits SHARE-Funded Projects in Uganda

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development Lynne Featherstone visited two projects that are part of the SHARE-funded Undoing Inequity programme in Uganda yesterday. The visits to the projects - Wera Primary School and Bobol Village - were chosen as part of a wider visit by the Minister to Uganda to look at innovative work on disability in developing contexts. 

Adepitan MBE, a British television presenter and Wheelchair Basket Ball Player, also visited the projects. Discussions with community members enabled an understanding of the barriers that people with disabilities used to face when attempting to access WASH and the difference that having accessible facilities makes.

As she saw the huge change that simple improvements to existing facilities can make, the Minister remarked that: "It is not the money; it is about changing how things are done. This is what delivers accessibility and makes life possible for people living with disability. It is quite clear; there is lots and lots that can be done. It is a question of how to scale this up to ensure that people living with disability wherever they are have the option of making a living and having a life equal to all of us."

Ade Adepitan said: "Empower people living with disabilities, give them the chances, give them the opportunities and let them use their strength to help their communities and also be valued in their communities." 

The overarching aim of the Undoing Inequity programme is to mainstream inclusive WASH services. Little is known about the impact that a lack of WASH has on the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. Nor is there any evidence about the benefits of inclusive WASH approaches at scale. To help fill this knowledge gap, SHARE is funding a collaboration between WaterAid, the Water Engineering Development Centre and Leonard Cheshire Disability to understand the barriers and opportunities that vulnerable groups face when accessing WASH services.

Read more about Undoing Inequity and watch a recent video on investigating the cost of inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene service delivery, produced by the Undoing Inequity programme