Sanitation
1.4 million die yearly from unsafe water and poor sanitation.
Over 1.5 billion people lack basic sanitation. Poor sanitation spreads deadly diseases, worsens malnutrition, and fuels antimicrobial resistance. It affects education, safety, and dignity—especially for women and girls. Safe, inclusive sanitation systems are vital to human development, health equity, and climate resilience.
Insights
Political: International frameworks call for universal access by 2030, but current progress is too slow. Stronger policy enforcement and localized sanitation governance are needed.
Economic: Investing $1 (USD) in sanitation yields $5.50 in returns. Poor sanitation drives health costs, lowers productivity, and impairs education and workforce readiness.
Social: Lack of toilets exposes women and girls to violence and missed schooling. Open defecation deepens mortality. Sanitation access is a basic human right.
Technological: Innovation in toilet design and fecal sludge treatment is advancing, and circular approaches offer untapped potential for creating value.
Legal: Recognized as a human right in 2010, enforcement varies widely. Regulatory gaps remain in wastewater reuse, especially in informal settlements.
Environmental: Climate shocks disrupt fragile systems. Untreated wastewater pollutes water bodies and ecosystems. Resilient sanitation reduces emissions and supports sustainable agriculture.
Reflective Questions
How might we radically accelerate safe sanitation access in dense urban and informal areas?
What new models can transform wastewater into a safe, regulated resource for agriculture?
How can climate-resilient sanitation systems be prioritized in national adaptation strategies?
Related Insight Cards
References:
World Health Organization, 2024. Sanitation. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sanitation
