Kamal Kar, Pioneer of the Sanitation Movement: Collaborative Experiences

Abstract

In Nepal, sanitation initiatives have evolved since the International Drinking Water
and Sanitation Decade, with the National Sanitation Policy 1994 broadening its
scope. The country achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in 2019, but subsequent evaluations revealed regression. The study emphasizes the need for sustained behavior change among communities and shifts the role of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Coordination Committees from implementers to facilitators.
Collaboration between researchers like Dr. Kamal Kar and Ashok Pandey led to
comprehensive evaluations, uncovering challenges in sustaining ODF status. The
study underscores the importance of community empowerment and strategic planning for long-term sanitation outcomes in Nepal.