The Ongoing Water and Sanitation Crisis
The importance of access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene practices has never been more critical. Yet, as the world grapples with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and growing global conflicts, billions of people continue to lack these basic necessities. According to a 2020 UNICEF press release, “Billions of people will lack access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene by 2030 unless progress quadruples.” This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need to prioritize water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) as a global development imperative.
The COVID-19 crisis has further exacerbated the WASH challenges faced by vulnerable communities worldwide. A 2020 assessment by the USAID-funded WASHPaLS project found that the pandemic has disrupted access to critical WASH services and products in many USAID high-priority countries. This disruption is expected to continue in the near term, with potentially devastating consequences for public health, economic stability, and social equity.
“Water security, sanitation and hygiene are more important to U.S. foreign policy than ever as the world continues to recover from the most significant public health crisis in 100 years, respond to the increasingly devastating impacts of climate change, and confront growing threats to equality, peace, and security.” – U.S. Global Water Strategy
The Evolution of WASH as a Global Development Priority
The recognition of WASH as a fundamental human right and a critical component of sustainable development has evolved significantly over the past few decades. This evolution can be traced through key global initiatives and policy frameworks that have collectively elevated WASH to the forefront of the international development agenda.
The Millennium Development Goals and the Water for Life Decade
In 2000, the United Nations Millennium Declaration established the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which included a target to halve the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015. This goal, along with the concurrent declaration of the 2005-2015 Water for Life Decade, galvanized global attention and resources towards improving WASH access.
While significant progress was made during this period, the MDG target for sanitation was not met, and an estimated 2.4 billion people still lacked access to basic sanitation services by 2015. This unfinished agenda paved the way for a renewed and more ambitious global commitment to WASH.
The Sustainable Development Goals and the Human Right to Water and Sanitation
The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 marked a pivotal shift in the global WASH landscape. SDG 6 specifically calls for ensuring “availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” by 2030. This goal encompasses not only access to basic services but also the quality, safety, and sustainability of water and sanitation systems.
Importantly, the SDGs recognized access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation as a fundamental human right, further elevating WASH as a critical development priority. This recognition has helped drive greater political will, funding, and accountability towards achieving universal access to WASH.
The U.S. Global Water Strategy and the Water for the World Act
In the United States, the Water for the World Act of 2014 mandated the development of a comprehensive U.S. Global Water Strategy, which was first launched in 2017 and updated in 2022. This strategy outlines the U.S. government’s commitment to advancing water security, sanitation, and hygiene worldwide.
The 2022-2027 Global Water Strategy sets ambitious targets for USAID to directly reach an additional 22 million people with access to safe drinking water and 22 million people with access to sanitation services over the next five years. Importantly, the strategy prioritizes 22 high-priority countries, ensuring a targeted and coordinated approach to addressing the most pressing WASH challenges.
Addressing the Multidimensional Challenges of WASH
The evolution of WASH as a global priority has also highlighted the multifaceted nature of the challenges faced in achieving universal access. WASH is not merely a technical or infrastructure-based issue; it is inextricably linked to broader socioeconomic, environmental, and cultural factors.
Education and Gender Equality
Inadequate WASH facilities, particularly in schools, have a disproportionate impact on the educational outcomes of girls and women. Studies have shown that the lack of private, safe, and hygienic menstrual hygiene management (MHM) facilities can lead to girls missing school during their periods or even dropping out altogether.
Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that combines improved WASH infrastructure with comprehensive menstrual health and hygiene education, as well as efforts to combat the social stigma and cultural taboos surrounding menstruation. Investing in MHM not only supports girls’ education but also empowers women and promotes greater gender equality.
Health and Environmental Sustainability
Poor WASH conditions can have severe public health consequences, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases, reproductive and urinary tract infections, and other preventable illnesses. Furthermore, the improper disposal of menstrual products and the use of non-biodegradable materials contribute to significant environmental pollution and waste.
Addressing the health and environmental impacts of WASH requires a multi-sectoral approach that integrates water quality monitoring, waste management systems, and behavior change campaigns to promote sustainable practices. Innovations in water treatment, sanitation technologies, and menstrual product design can also play a crucial role in addressing these challenges.
Economic Development and Resilience
Lack of access to WASH services can have far-reaching economic consequences, particularly for the world’s poorest and most marginalized communities. Women and girls often bear the brunt of the burden, spending significant time and energy collecting water or managing menstruation, which can limit their ability to pursue educational and economic opportunities.
Investing in WASH infrastructure and services not only improves public health and quality of life but also supports broader economic development and community resilience. By reducing the time and resources spent on WASH-related tasks, individuals and households can redirect their efforts towards more productive activities, ultimately contributing to greater prosperity and economic growth.
Collaborative Approaches and Partnerships for Sustainable WASH Solutions
Addressing the complex and multidimensional challenges of WASH requires a collaborative approach that brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including national governments, international donors, civil society organizations, the private sector, and local communities.
Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Governance
Effective and accountable WASH governance is crucial for ensuring the sustainability and equitable distribution of services. This involves building the institutional capacity of national and local governments to plan, finance, and manage WASH systems, as well as fostering transparent and participatory decision-making processes that engage community members.
Mobilizing Funding and Innovative Financing Mechanisms
Achieving universal access to WASH services requires significant and sustained investment. However, many developing countries face resource constraints and limited access to financing. Innovative approaches, such as blended finance, public-private partnerships, and community-based financing schemes, can help mobilize the necessary resources and ensure the long-term viability of WASH initiatives.
Promoting Community Engagement and Ownership
Sustainable WASH solutions must be responsive to the needs and priorities of local communities. By actively engaging community members, particularly women and marginalized groups, in the design, implementation, and management of WASH services, development initiatives can foster a sense of ownership and ensure that the services are truly meeting the needs of the people they serve.
Leveraging Technological Innovations and Research
Advancements in technology, such as water treatment systems, smart metering, and mobile-enabled monitoring, can significantly improve the efficiency, reliability, and accessibility of WASH services. Similarly, ongoing research and knowledge-sharing can inform the development of evidence-based policies, best practices, and innovative approaches to address the evolving WASH challenges.
Conclusion: Securing a Water-Secure Future for All
The evolution of WASH as a global priority reflects a growing recognition of its fundamental importance to human well-being, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. As the world grapples with the compounding challenges of public health crises, climate change, and social inequities, the need to accelerate progress towards universal access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene has never been more pressing.
By adopting a holistic, collaborative, and innovative approach to WASH, we can work towards a future where every person, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive. This will require sustained political will, robust financing mechanisms, and the active participation of diverse stakeholders – from policymakers and development practitioners to local communities and the private sector.
As we move forward, the Joint Action for Water community stands ready to support and amplify the global effort to ensure that water, sanitation, and hygiene are accessible, equitable, and sustainable for all.
