WaterAids vision is a world in which everyone has access to safe water and effective sanitation

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WaterAids vision is a world in which everyone
has access to safe water and effective sanitation

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A right to water a step in the right direction
Access to safe water is a fundamental human need
and therefore a basic human right.

• Kofi Annan Secretary -General United Nations

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It is expensive to buy water and I dont have
enough for everything my children need. Things
are hard when it is very dry. The price of water
goes up and I have to save money by using less
water. I will wash the floor only once a week,
wear the same clothes longer and try not to use
utensils that need to be washed. If we had a
water pump in the village, my expenses would be
reduced. I could increase the business, and
maybe could open my own hotel. Then I could pay
for education for my children.
Theresa Bruno
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Some statistics

• 1.1 billion people are living without
• safe water
• 2.4 billion people are living without adequate
  sanitation 
• Every 15 seconds a child dies from
• water-related diseases this is equivalent
• to 20 jumbo jets crashing every day
• People in UK use 135 litres of water per
  day, compared to 10 litres per day in Africa
  and Asia

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What are human rights?
Human rights are essential for human survival,
liberty and dignity they are recognised by the
global community and protected by international
law. Human rights are universal. They are the
birth-right of every man, woman and child.
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General comment no 15

• The human right to water entitles everyone to
  sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically
  accessible and affordable water for personal and
  domestic uses.
• The human right to water is indispensable for
  leading a life in human dignity. It is a
  prerequisite for the realisation of other
  human rights.

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Rights based approach to development

• Places people at the centre of development
• Fulfils human needs, realises human rights
• Every human being has dignity and worth
• Promotes equal opportunities
• Supports people to make own choices,
• improve own circumstances
• Everyone given chance to develop potential
• and contribute to society

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Water point mapping in Malawi

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Why does the right to water make a difference?

Through the acceptance of a right to water, there
is explicit recognition that water is a social
and cultural as well as an economic good.
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• Fresh water is a legal entitlement
• Achieving access should be accelerated
• The least served can be better targeted
• Community groups can be empowered
• Means and mechanisms to monitor progress
• Governments can be held accountable

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safe sufficient affordable and accessible
but they are not expected to achieve this
overnight
States must move towards full provision of water
that is

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Safe
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Sufficient
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Affordable
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Accessible
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Government Obligations

• Respect by not interfering with peoples right to
  water, e.g. by polluting
• Protect by preventing third parties companies,
  individuals - from denying access to water, e.g.
  by polluting or overpricing
• Fulfil through education and when people are
  unable to realise their right themselves, through
  the provision of water

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Impact of the right to water

• Focus attention
• Renew efforts
• Draw attention to access issues
• Create pressure for policies
• A foundation for action
• To lobby governments
• To provide access for all

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Other aspects of the right to water

• Water for Hygiene and Sanitation
• Water for Food Production
• Water for the Environment
• Water for Development and Self-Determination

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www.wateraid.org www.righttowater.org.uk