Policy Implementation

Policy implementation is not a mechanical process; rather, it is a significant undertaking involving many factors that may impact on success. The positive cases of strong national sanitation policies in both South Africa and Uganda help to emphasise the importance of sound decentralised management and illustrate that results depend on implementation.

Policy development is a not a clear-cut process. Rarely does policy change happen according to a well-conceived linear plan. Although this fact does not obviate the need for an intentional process, it does point out the importance of being flexible and able to adapt. Resistance will come in unexpected places, especially in a process that is inclusive and participatory. The importance of effective leadership in this process is vital in order to deal with the inevitable issues and decision points that arise in any policy development process.

Service providers and individuals with the capacity and motivation to work with community leadership will provide the ideal partnerships for policy-makers targeting improvements in sanitation coverage. Institutional development strategies to strengthen public and financial management skills at the sub-national level will need to be part of the sanitation agenda to realise successful policy implementation.

Given the importance of sanitation to health and the environment, this is an area of policy reform well worth undertaking. Success will not be judged in the short term but over time, and not only in terms of declared policies but, more importantly, in terms of actual improvements in sanitation and hygiene services.