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Tackling open defecation

4 comments

How do we tackle the problem of social ignorance and wickedness of open defecation? Can SBCC develop sharper teeth to chew this attitude?

It is a problem which is creeping into the social space in many communities in the third world. I see it as a fearful event, that a woman, man, child can be bold to be naked in the open and pollute the environment against other people.

What Works? Shifting Norms; Changing Behaviours; Amplifying Voice - #SBCCSummit

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Submitted by Dayo-Ogundimu on Fri, 01/26/2018 - 10:12 Permalink

Going by the framing of the problem you are considering (Talking Open Defecation by Ebenezer Koomson) you need to go back to your drawing board to learn the basics of C4D with regard to SBCC.

In this profession, we are never judgemental and we do not blame the victims of poverty and deprivation for their practices that need to change.  Instead, as community change agents, we engage our target groups through education and information sharing, using appropriate and culturally acceptable SBBC communication tools/media.

Best regards.

Dr. Adedayo Ogundimu
Founder/CEO
COMFORCH Development Communications

I agree with your point,

Let then be their own judges. Involve the in the problem identification, let then lead the way and your role is to facilitate by engaging them and giving them information and only guiding when necessary.

Geofrey Tanui

Save the Children International

Community Development Officer

That is the spirit. We are basically facilitators of behavior change, working side by side with project beneficiaries in a relationship characterized by mutual respect and exchange of experience. When knowledge about a new way to solve a human problem is to be shared, we need to employ appropriate communication tools. Thus, the community members become motivated and desire to engage and get involved.

Community involvement promotes project ownership while project ownership promotes the sustainability of the project and consequently, the continued adoption of the new behavior or practice.

Dr. Adedayo Ogundimu
COMFORCH Development Communications, Jos
Nigeria

Submitted by Inno on Sat, 01/27/2018 - 04:02 Permalink

Currently in the Bole - Northern Region of Ghana to support an evaluation study on the effectiveness and mode of operation of Community-Led Total Sanitation by Eawag in collaboration with Global communities. My first interesting observation was the sign posts being placed in the villages that obtain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. Such simple recognitions in themselves can act as significant change agents for other communities to obtain the same ODF status.

This will be the focus of my presentation in the upcoming SBCC summit in Indonesia. The study was based on the RANAS (Risks, Attitudes, Norms, Abilities, and Self-regulation) model of behavior change and behavior-change techniques delivered through group discussions and written public commitment. Looking forward to seeing most of you come for the presentation.

What Works? Shifting Norms; Changing Behaviours; Amplifying Voice - #SBCCSummit