Mobilizing the power of people and media

Africa is not exclusively a continent of misery where people die of hunger and thirst; where the absence of sanitation is permanent, explaining: open defecation and water-related epidemics. The challenges exist and they exist everywhere else! Africa also has examples to offer in all areas including that of access to water, hygiene and sanitation. Our media, despite the difficulties, have a determining role in the transformation of society. Changing the narrative of Africa will consist in opening the conversation on true development. First, within the media and then civil society. For this to happen, actors must avoid victimization and work together to advocate for development. In the WASH sector, media networks have shown their importance: they support communication and serve to change behavior; they provide insight into the impact of actions on populations; and they report on knowledge and opinions about development programs. In this way, the work of partners can be understood, the voice of the people amplified and the capacity of the media strengthened.