Role of Civil Society | Partnership for a lead-free future

Civil society has historically played a critical role in human development and in bringing about change. It has done this by filling gaps unmet by governments or the private sector, providing research and data for governments and citizens, holding governments accountable, conducting advocacy, and providing alternative policies for governments, the private sector and other stakeholders. The tenacious advocacy of civil society, including in academia and professional associations, has played an important role in advancing progress on ending lead poisoning around the world. In fact, the widespread use of lead in low- and middle-income countries and the resulting unfolding public health crises require accelerated action, particularly from civil society based in low- and middle-income countries.

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Civil society partners like Pure Earth are working in countries like Bangladesh to protect future generations from lead poisoning

In 2019, unsafe lead-acid battery recycling caused dangerous lead contamination in Rajabari village, Mirzapur, Bangladesh, putting hundreds of children like 10-year-old Saim at risk. Pure Earth, the community and the government launched a successful clean-up effort, reducing lead levels in soil and children's blood, and restoring health and the environment. The initiative is expanding to other contaminated areas, working toward a lead-free future for every child.

5 Actions for civil society to inspire others to act to end childhood lead poisoning

Action 1: Advocate for decisive action from governments and industries

The development and enforcement of strong legislation and policies are key to ending childhood lead poisoning. Studies on the extent of childhood lead poisoning and the sources of exposure are useful tools for raising awareness of the need for governments to draft laws, legally binding regulations and/or mandatory standards. Civil society has a key role to play in demanding action at national and subnational levels to improve compliance with national laws, regulations and/or mandatory standards to reduce the risk of childhood lead exposure. Civil society with the relevant track record can also provide technical assistance to both national and subnational levels of government in the drafting of laws, regulations and mandatory standards. In addition, they can support governments in monitoring the enforcement of these policies.

Action 2: Mobilize communities to demand better protection

Civil society can play a key role in promoting community awareness on childhood lead poisoning and demand better protection. Youth associations, professional associations, academia and local non-governmental organizations are a powerful voice for change. By increasing awareness via social media, print or broadcast media, they can alert the public to the dangers of lead exposure and the damage this does to children and their future. By promoting awareness with community leaders and groups, caregivers and frontline service providers, they can mobilize increased attention, vigilance and action to prevent childhood lead poisoning.

Action 3: Educate networks on the issue

Professional associations, youth associations, academic networks and other civil society organizations are well-positioned to educate their networks on the issue of childhood lead poisoning and how the issue could be addressed. For instance, local medical, paediatric and nurses’ associations can be engaged to develop a better understanding of how to prevent, detect, care for and treat lead poisoning in children. Teachers’ associations can engage the teaching community to better understand the impact of lead poisoning on IQ levels and learning outcomes. Academic networks can develop and share technical expertise on environmental testing (i.e., lead in air, water, soil) or the use of portable machines such as an X-ray fluorescence analyzer.

Action 4: Research the sources and effects of lead

Local research is a very effective tool for mobilizing policymakers and communities to prevent childhood lead poisoning. Civil society can consider planning and implementing context-specific research such as measuring the levels of childhood lead poisoning in their areas, environmental testing, source apportionment studies and examining associations between childhood lead poisoning and learning, as well as behavioural outcomes.

Action 5: Support the national response

Civil society can play a critical role in shaping the development of a national, multisectoral response by being part of the design process. The operationalization of a national, multisectoral response may benefit from the support of civil society, which can play an important role in conducting additional critical research, evidence-based advocacy to demand action, supporting youth engagement and improving public awareness. Civil society with the relevant expertise, experience and networks can encourage the private sector to use alternatives to lead in their industrial applications, shift industries to eliminate lead from their products, and identify, as well as clean up, contaminated sites.