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Inclusive WASH Infrastructure Webinar 21082024

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12 views9 pages

Inclusive WASH Infrastructure Webinar 21082024

Uploaded by

AlameldeenAlameldeenkhareef
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING INCLUSIVE

WASH INFRASTRUCTURE

WASH WEBINAR

21ST AUGUST 2024


Introduction

3 concepts that underpin


inclusive WASH:

1. LNOB
2. Meaningful participation
3. Integrated approaches
Need for Inclusive WASH
Aside from issues surrounding the general lack of WASH infrastructure, horizontal
inequalities exist in the access of women and marginalized groups to inclusive WASH
services.
Horizontal Inequalities in WASH Access
Systemic barriers that cause horizontal inequalities in women’s and marginalized groups’
access to WASH can include:
1. Discrimination and social exclusion, where restrictive sociocultural norms and negative
attitudes can lead to the exclusion of certain social groups from using WASH services;
2. Physical barriers and lack of safety, where using WASH services is physically difficult due
to inadequacies in the system (e.g., WASH services are unavailable, unsafe, inaccessible,
remote or difficult to use);
3. Prohibitive costs and requirements, where the cost (in terms of money, time and effort)
or legal requirements can limit people from being able to afford safely managed WASH
services;
4. Limited access to information, where people do not have access to or are unable to
understand the format of information available regarding WASH services; and
5. Lack of access to decision-making, where people face power imbalances and lack
representation, and thus are unable to make decisions regarding their daily activities or
how WASH infrastructure is developed
Challenges to Implementing Inclusive
WASH Infrastructure
The lack of inclusive WASH, especially in the Global South, can be attributed to multifaceted and
interrelated challenges in the development of WASH infrastructure. These include, but are not
limited to:
• Insufficient capacity (including institutional, technical, financial and knowledge) to plan, deliver
and manage inclusive WASH infrastructure that:
- can satisfy short-, medium- and long-term WASH needs of all peoples, especially women
and marginalized groups
- does no harm to the environment and local communities
- is resilient in the face of challenges such as climate change, conflicts, pandemics and
disasters
- can navigate complex urbanization challenges such as informal developments near water
bodies that can contaminate water sources with human waste and garbage
- is based on inclusive evidence to prevent mismatches and determine appropriate
solutions for design, implementation and technology in alignment with local WASH customs and
practices
Challenges to Implementing Inclusive
WASH Infrastructure – Cont’d
• Weak enabling environment, which includes a lack of (or limited ability to enforce) policies, legislation,
regulation and formal processes that enable integrated and multi-sectoral approaches to sustainable,
resilient and inclusive WASH and effective water resource management, especially in water-scarce countries
and contexts where there are water-related conflicts
• Insufficient awareness of and political commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, which can lead
to a lack of meaningful consultation and representation of women and marginalized groups in WASH
planning, delivery and management
• Cultural and behavioral challenges, such as traditional beliefs that may hinder users from adopting
healthier WASH practices
• Insufficient accountability and transparency in WASH investment decisions and procurement processes,
which may lead to spatial inequalities regarding where investments are made
Approaches to Developing Inclusive WASH
Infrastructure
Addressing WASH exclusion faced by women and marginalized groups requires that we incorporate the
concepts of leaving no one behind (through intersectional and GESI-transformative approaches) and
meaningful participation within an integrated approach to quality WASH infrastructure development.
In addition, addressing the implementation challenges WASH infrastructure practitioners face in the Global
South entails taking a holistic approach across the life cycle of inclusive WASH infrastructure development.
Four approaches that can be utilized to incorporate inclusive principles and address implementation
challenges include:
1. Strengthening the enabling environment,
2. Prioritizing inclusive solutions,
3. Delivering inclusive solutions well, and
4. Maximizing existing systems performance.
In Summary…

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