Strategies for sanitation and hygiene in Ethiopia in the past focused more on the provision of information
with the expectation that this will elicit change. However, much has not changed in the sector both in
terms of access, use and improved hygiene practices. In the Ethiopian context, a number of approaches
are being implemented including Community Conversation, Community Dialogue and CommunityLed
Total Sanitation (CLTS). The latter, CLTS, is characterized by participatory facilitation, community
analysis and action, and no hardware subsidy. It is viewed as a primary strategy for improving usage of
latrines and not only counting the physical assets.
As CLTS focuses primarily on enabling communities for a collective action on issues that affect their
health, it has been observed that in places where CLTS ignition has taken place such communities
become receptive for the rest of the HEP packages. Therefore it is important to note that successful
application of CLTS approaches would pave the way for the acceptance and uptake of the other elements
of the HEP by communities
