Progress and Challenges of Sanitation Services Among Mining Communities in Geita district, Tanzania

This case study documents the experiences of Population and Development Initiative (PDI) and Civil Society Organisation partners working to improve sanitation and hygiene within mining communities in Geita District in north-west Tanzania. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities in the district started in the early 1990s and the district is now home to more than 480,000 small scale miners from across the country living in mobile communities with minimal sanitation facilities. This case study documents interventions led by PDI, The International Peace Information Service and partners to work with government stakeholders, miners, mine associations and other local stakeholders to advocate and raise awareness for improved sanitation for mining communities. Successful adaptations included repeated engagement with miners and mining associations to raise awareness and train agents of change for social accountability advocacy efforts with duty bearers. Addressing entrenched attitudes and social beliefs around open defecation, tailored behaviour change campaigns were developed and local by-laws were strategically leveraged.