On 25 September, world leaders at the UN met to ratify the new Global Goals for Sustainable Development, which succeed the Millennium Development Goals expiring this year. Water and sanitation are rightfully high on the agenda.
This historic event fulfills a rare opportunity to define an agenda and vision to transform our world over the next 15 years, seeking to make poverty a thing of the past and to heal and secure the future of our planet. Though lofty, far-reaching and incredibly ambitious, this agenda forms a valuable call to action and a clearly defined set of aspirations.
After years of complex advocacy and lobbying from stakeholders all around the planet, we are especially delighted that included as a key component is 'ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all' - Goal 6.
FACE Africa is committed to striving for the fulfillment of this goal and agenda. Goal 6 aims to, by 2030, among other things:
- Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
- Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
- Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
In particular, we advocate the importance of community involvement and ownership, of ensuring that impacts are long-term and sustainable, and that effective Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) practices are put in place at all levels to ensure effectiveness and accountability.
