Improving WASH Services for Marginalized Groups: Leaving No One Behind

Bridging the WASH Equity Gap

Achieving universal access to safe and affordable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services is a fundamental human right and a critical component of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, for many marginalized and vulnerable groups, this goal remains elusive. Inequities in WASH access persist, often leaving the most disadvantaged communities behind.

To address this pressing issue, it is essential to understand the barriers faced by marginalized populations and develop targeted strategies to ensure that no one is left without access to these essential services. This article explores the challenges, best practices, and innovative approaches to improving WASH services for marginalized groups, with the aim of leaving no one behind.

Identifying Marginalized Groups and Their Barriers

Marginalized groups, such as the poor, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and women, often face unique obstacles in accessing WASH services. These barriers can include physical, financial, social, and cultural factors that prevent them from enjoying the same level of service as the general population.

Physical Barriers: Marginalized communities may be located in remote or hard-to-reach areas, making it difficult for service providers to extend infrastructure and deliver WASH services. Additionally, WASH facilities may not be designed with the needs of people with disabilities in mind, limiting their accessibility.

Financial Barriers: Poverty is a significant obstacle, as marginalized groups often lack the financial resources to pay for connection fees, water tariffs, or the maintenance of WASH facilities. This can lead to reliance on unsafe and unimproved water sources or inadequate sanitation solutions.

Social and Cultural Barriers: Prevailing social norms, gender roles, and cultural practices can limit the ability of certain groups, such as women and girls, to access WASH services. In some contexts, menstrual hygiene management is a taboo topic, hindering the provision of appropriate facilities and education.

Lack of Representation and Voice: Marginalized communities often have limited representation in decision-making processes, making it challenging for their unique needs and concerns to be reflected in WASH policies and service delivery.

Addressing Inequities through Inclusive Approaches

To bridge the WASH equity gap, a multifaceted approach is required, one that combines inclusive policies, community engagement, targeted interventions, and innovative financing mechanisms.

Inclusive WASH Policies and Governance

Governments and service providers must prioritize the development of inclusive WASH policies and governance frameworks that address the specific needs of marginalized groups. This includes:

1. Integrating Equity Considerations: Ensuring that WASH policies, strategies, and action plans explicitly consider the unique challenges and requirements of marginalized populations, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities.

2. Strengthening Institutional Capacity: Building the capacity of WASH service providers and local authorities to understand and respond to the needs of marginalized groups, including through the provision of specialized training and resources.

3. Facilitating Meaningful Participation: Establishing mechanisms for the meaningful participation of marginalized groups in WASH planning, decision-making, and monitoring processes, giving them a voice in shaping the services they receive.

4. Improving Data Collection and Disaggregation: Enhancing WASH monitoring and evaluation systems to collect and analyze data that is disaggregated by socioeconomic status, gender, disability, and other relevant characteristics, enabling the identification of inequities and targeted interventions.

Community-Driven Approaches

Engaging with marginalized communities and leveraging their local knowledge and social networks is essential for designing and implementing effective WASH solutions. Strategies may include:

1. Participatory Needs Assessments: Conducting inclusive and participatory assessments to understand the unique WASH needs, challenges, and preferences of marginalized groups within a community.

2. Co-designed WASH Interventions: Involving marginalized community members in the design, implementation, and maintenance of WASH infrastructure and services, ensuring that the solutions are culturally appropriate and sustainable.

3. Capacity Building and Empowerment: Investing in the training and empowerment of marginalized groups, enabling them to become active participants in the WASH sector, such as through the establishment of community-based WASH committees.

4. Targeted Awareness and Education: Developing and disseminating WASH-related education and behavior change campaigns that are tailored to the specific needs and cultural contexts of marginalized groups, addressing topics like hygiene practices, water conservation, and menstrual health management.

Innovative Financing Mechanisms

Overcoming the financial barriers faced by marginalized groups requires the implementation of innovative financing mechanisms that ensure equitable access to WASH services. Strategies may include:

1. Subsidies and Targeted Assistance: Providing subsidies, rebates, or direct financial assistance to marginalized households to cover the costs of WASH services, connection fees, and maintenance.

2. Microfinance and Flexible Payment Options: Partnering with microfinance institutions to offer small loans and flexible payment plans that enable marginalized communities to afford WASH services and infrastructure.

3. Cross-Subsidization: Implementing tariff structures that allow for the cross-subsidization of WASH services, wherein higher-income users contribute to the provision of services for lower-income households.

4. Blended Financing: Leveraging a combination of public, private, and development finance to mobilize resources and make WASH services more affordable and accessible for marginalized groups.

Leaving No One Behind: Spotlighting Successful WASH Initiatives

Across the globe, there are numerous examples of successful WASH initiatives that have prioritized the inclusion and empowerment of marginalized groups. These case studies offer valuable insights and lessons that can inform future efforts to improve WASH services for the most vulnerable.

Case Study: Reaching the Urban Poor in Lima, Peru

In Lima, Peru, the local water utility, Sedapal, has implemented a targeted program to extend WASH services to the city’s informal settlements, which are home to many marginalized and low-income residents. The program involves:

• Conducting participatory needs assessments to understand the unique challenges faced by the urban poor
• Designing and co-constructing WASH infrastructure that is tailored to the specific contexts of informal settlements
• Offering flexible payment plans and subsidies to ensure affordability for low-income households
• Engaging community leaders and residents in the ongoing management and maintenance of WASH facilities

As a result of this inclusive approach, WASH coverage in Lima’s informal settlements has significantly improved, contributing to better health, hygiene, and quality of life for marginalized communities.

Case Study: Improving Menstrual Health in Castelló de la Plana, Spain

In the city of Castelló de la Plana, Spain, local authorities, civil society organizations, and marginalized women have collaborated to enhance menstrual health management in public spaces and institutions. Key initiatives include:

• Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the menstrual health needs and barriers faced by women and girls, including those from low-income and minority backgrounds
• Installing free menstrual product dispensers in schools, public buildings, and community centers
• Providing WASH education and awareness-raising campaigns to destigmatize menstruation and promote inclusive policies
• Engaging marginalized women in the design and implementation of menstrual health interventions

This holistic approach has not only improved access to menstrual products and facilities but also fostered greater understanding and acceptance of menstrual health management within the community.

Conclusion: Sustaining Progress and Driving Systemic Change

Achieving universal and equitable WASH access for marginalized groups is a complex and multifaceted challenge, but one that is essential for realizing the human right to water and sanitation. By adopting inclusive policies, community-driven approaches, and innovative financing mechanisms, we can work towards leaving no one behind in the quest for sustainable WASH services.

As we move forward, it is crucial to maintain a steadfast commitment to equity, ongoing dialogue with marginalized communities, and continuous learning and adaptation. Only by placing the needs of the most vulnerable at the forefront of WASH initiatives can we truly ensure that everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status, gender, or ability, has access to the clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services they deserve.

To learn more about Joint Action for Water’s work in promoting inclusive WASH solutions, please visit our website.