2030 Agenda for Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Look from the Human Rights Perspective

This document was inspired by the need to promote comprehensive actions in the management of water and sanitation services with a human rights focus within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) related to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean; in addition, it ratifies the results reported in a PAHO study (2016) on the profound inequalities between urban and rural areas in access to water and sewage services, and the correlation with characteristics such as gender, age, income, education, among others. This report assumed this challenge using a methodology based on the Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation (HRWS) analytical framework. This report seeks to provide the most up-to-date overview of the SDG targets 6.1 and 6.2 situation in Latin America and the Caribbean. Besides outlining the general situation of countries, it presents some elements regarding human rights and the targets 6.1 and 6.2 that have been neglected in the initial monitoring of the 2030 Agenda, above all, the dimensions of inequality and affordability. This report presents four case studies, one per sub-regional block, with a more detailed characterization of the national and subnational situations of Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. The results of this study show that a significant proportion of the Latin American and Caribbean population still lacks adequate access to water and sanitation services. Only 65% of the population has access to safely managed water services, a percentage lower than that reported worldwide, which is 71%. With regard to safely managed sanitation services, the situation is even more critical, with an access level of 39% worldwide being reported, compared to 22% in our Region.

Rol de las políticas públicas en la distribución equitativa de agua potable, higiene y saneamiento con garantías sobre el cumplimiento de los derechos humanos y el logro de los mejores resultados en salud / Role of public policies in the equitable distribution of water, hygiene and sanitation with guarantees in the fulfillment of Human Rights and the accomplishment of better health outcomes

La Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) solicitó, entre enero y marzo de 2011, al Instituto de Investigaciones Epidemiológicas (lE) un reporte que pretendió responder, de manera informada, a tres preguntas relacionadas con las políticas públicas y el acceso al Agua Potable, Higiene y Saneamiento (AHS) en América Latina y El Caribe (ALC). Objetivo: Identificar las políticas de AHS que contribuyen a cumplir con los Derechos Humanos, garantizan un acceso equitativo e influencian sobre la salud. Metodología: Se formularon criterios de elegibilidad e inclusión y se realizó una búsqueda con las recomendaciones de la Colaboración Cochrane. A partir de la revisión y síntesis de la literatura, se elaboró un reporte. Resultados: Se recuperaron 3675 citas, de las cuales 69 fueron consideradas. Pocos países de ALC reconocen el derecho al agua en sus Constituciones. Éste es el primer paso para garantizar el cumplimiento, lo que debe complementarse con políticas de AHS con enfoque de derechos. Las situaciones de inequidad en el acceso evidencian la necesidad de este enfoque y de experimentar maneras articuladas de aproximarse a la problemática. El acceso adecuado al AHS tiene variados beneficios, que transcienden al ámbito de la salud. Conclusión: Aún cuando es un tema complejo y se solicitó una respuesta rápida, esta experiencia mostró que es posible elaborar un reporte basado en evidencia accesible a los responsables de las políticas de AHS que dé respuesta a los interrogantes planteados.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) requested, between January and March of 2011, to the Epidemiological Research Institute (l/E) a report to answer, in an informed way, three questions related with public policy and access to water, hygiene and sanitation (WHS) in Latin America and The Caribbean (LAC). Objective: Recognize policies in WHS that contribute to the fulfillment of Human Rights, ensure equitable access and influence health. Methodology: Eligibility and inclusion criteria were defined, and a search was made according to the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration. A report was made with the review and synthesis of the literature. Results: 3675 citations were retrieved, from which 69 were considered. Few counties in LAC recognized the right to water in their Constitutions. This is the first step to ensure its fulfillment, and must be supplemented with policies in WHS with rights approach. The inequality in access shows the need of this approach and to experience articulated ways to manage this issue. Proper access to WHS has many benefits, beyond health sector. Conclusion: Even though the topic is complex and time given short, the experience shows that it is feasible to prepare a report based in evidence, accessible to policy makers in WHS, which gives answer to the three questions submitted.