Dr. Snehalatha Mekala
Associate Professor, Administrative Staff College
India
Dr. Snehalatha Mekala, aged 51 years, am a post graduate in extension education and Phd from Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad, India. I am currently working as South Asia Regional Coordinator of Freshwater Action Network South Asia (FANSA). My previous assignments include Impact Advisor for RUST project (2015-18); South Asia Regional Advisor for Splash (2012-2014); National Research Coordinator for Community water plus project (2013 to 2016) and Country coordinator for WASH Cost project (2008-2012) for IRC, The Netherlands. My core competency and professional interests are in the areas of design and implementation of research projects focusing on WASH, Environment, and sustainable livelihoods. I have also gained significant hands-on experience in planning and implementation of Government lead development projects like water supply sanitation programs, watershed program, livelihoods program and water audit research. My other areas of expertise include assessing the cost of water sanitation and hygiene services, particularly focused on advocating equitable and inclusive WASH progress and Participatory Poverty Assessments. I was part of the working group on national rural drinking water and sanitation formed by Ministry of Drinking water and sanitation to formulate the five-year plan. I’m currently a working member in Systems and Finance Group of Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) which is a global multi stakeholder platform including National Governments. In the past I have designed and conducted various research studies for International, Regional and National Organizations including UN Agencies and Governments mainly focusing on financial and physical Sustainability, gender Equity and Human Rights aspects related to WASH. I have authored / Co-authored journal papers and reports on varied themes and extensively contributed to the knowledge building process in the development sector. I have also been regularly contributing at the high-level professional platforms including Stockholm Water Week, World Water Forum, SACOSANs and partnerships of Sanitation and Water for All. I have published more than 30 articles, journal papers and conference papers. I have also contributed to two books on community water management.