Resources / Equity and Inclusion in Sanitation and Hygiene in Africa

Summary

There are two facets to the sanitation problem in Africa, both of which are unacceptable.

The first is a problem of scale. Hundreds of millions of people in Africa have historically practiced open defecation, especially in rural areas: a veritable sanitation crisis that impairs progress in the region. African countries are most off-track to reach the Millennium Development Goals for sanitation

The second and in many ways more pernicious problem is one of exclusion, where different categories of people are not able to access and use safe sanitation facilities. These categories of people include those who are socially and economically marginalised or excluded, and those who cannot use standard designs. For example, women, children, older people, pregnant women, people with disabilities or living with HIV/Aids or other chronic illnesses, and geographically marginalised populations in remote areas. The ‖excluded‖, are not only people who suffer from ‖asset poverty, but also those who are shut out for social reasons.

This synthesis study was presented during the  WaterAid and WSSCC hosted equity session at AfricaSan III. It lays out the problem around equity in Africa, but also offers case studies of successful projects which adresses the gaps. The paper szrongly encourages new ideas, better programming to achieve inclusive access to sanitation and hygiene for all.