Executive summary

Access to water and sanitation has been recognized as a human right by the United Nations General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. This means that ensuring access to water and sanitation for all is a legal obligation. And in order to comply with this obligation, special attention needs to be paid at an early stage to ensure that access to water and sanitation is equitable for all members of the population. This publication distinguishes three key dimensions in the concept of equitable access to water and sanitation: geographical differences in service provided; discrimination or exclusion in access to services by vulnerable and marginalized groups; and financial affordability for users. The strong linkages between the provision of water supply services and the provision of sanitation services demand a holistic approach to promoting equitable access to water and sanitation.

Related Subject(s): Economic and Social Development