Words by Smiley Team
To build better access to clean water and sanitation around the world, the UN dedicated the 6th of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to this imperative. Made up of eight different targets, the goal aims to overcome inequalities in access to clean water and sanitation.
But why is the 6th UN goal so important, what does it mean and how do we achieve it?
As 60% of the human body is made up of water, it’s clear that this natural element is essential to our survival. Likewise, good sanitation and hygiene are vital for protecting people’s health. “These are the fundamentals for human life to thrive,” Jon Shepherd, head of programmes and funding at Frank Water tells Smiley News.
“Water to drink that doesn't make you ill is the biggest essential for our lives. Forget all the rest, without clean water, there is no humanity,” he says.
Drinking, washing, cooking and disposing of waste: these are just some of the many uses water has in our everyday existence. Jon adds: “For all of the reasons above, water and sanitation is an essential human right.”
But sadly, not everybody has access to these essentials. Billions of people around the world lack safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, an issue that affects women and girls in particular.
Jon explains: “Without a dignified place to go to the toilet we know we have two problems. First, we get ill because we are unhygienic and secondly, women and girls risk being harmed or harassed.”
By 2030, the 6th UN goal sets out how the world must achieve universal access to these basic necessities by tackling pollution and wastage through community-led projects. In the same time frame, the goal aims to open up access to better sanitation and hygiene for people everywhere and to provide proper toilets, helping women and girls in particular.
Jon explains that we can only reach this goal “by focusing on those left behind - the poorest 20% of the world's population”.
From his work, he has seen how women are treated badly in many parts of the world and water and sanitation access would help alleviate the entrenched disadvantage they face.
To reach the goal, he believes in the power of consumers supporting ethical companies. He also urges everyone to lobby MPs to increase funding to aid efforts.
Organisations including WaterAid lead international efforts to end water poverty for good.
Claire Seaward, Global Campaigns Director for WaterAid said: "Working in partnership with others, including the private sector, WaterAid is committed to fulfilling the global promise made in the Sustainable Development Goals, to help bring an end to the water, sanitation and hygiene crisis forever.”
Support the following organisations working towards universal access to clean water and sanitation.
This organisation funds research into solutions around the 6th UN goal. It also campaigns to provide clean water and sanitation to people everywhere with a focus on marginalised groups.
Get involved. Volunteer. Donate.
WaterAid calls for greater investment in clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene services, all while supporting the health and environment sectors in prioritising essential facilities and highlighting the benefits these can have on people’s lives.
Get involved. Volunteer. Donate.
Dedicated to solving water poverty, The Busoga Trust builds wells and provides other long-lasting services to help communities survive and thrive.
Get involved. Volunteer. Donate.
Water for Kids works with local environmental health professionals around the world. Together they promote good hygiene, clean water and technological solutions to uplift deprived communities.
Get involved. Volunteer. Donate.
This charity’s approach is to support marginalised people globally through locally-run development in order to spread access to clean water and sanitation.
