Social accountability : civil society and the human rights to water and sanitation
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The Watershed programme supports civil society organisations (CSOs) both on normative content (and claiming their rights if not yet met) as well as supporting CSOs to engage in the procedural part/principles of human rights to water and sanitation. The social accountability approach used by Watershed is based on the principles of access to information, non-discrimination, accountability and participation. The role of CSOs includes holding government to account for their obligation to ensure that everyone’s human rights are fulfilled, protected and respected. For this Watershed uses the Social Accountability Model developed by Water Witness International. Conclusions and reflection are provided on how this model has been used in Kenya and Bangladesh. Presentation by Esther de Vreede, Simavi, at the WASH Debate “Dialogue and dissent: Looking at the role of civil society in achieving SDG 6 by 2030”, in The Hague, the Netherlands on 26 June 2019.
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Social accountability : civil society and the human rights to water and sanitation
- 1. Social accountability: Civil society and the human rights to water and sanitation WASH DEBATE, 26 JUNE 2019 Esther deVreede, Simavi Programme Director
- 2. “Watershed empowering citizens” Strategic partnership (2016- 2020) between Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IRC, Simavi,Wetlands International andAkvo focusing on building the capacity of civil society to advocate for inclusive and sustainableWASH and proper water resource management. Supporting local CSOs in Bangladesh,Ghana, India, Kenya, Mali, and Uganda. Facilitating L&A in Netherlands and global/international platforms.
- 3. Watershed & Human Rights to Water and Sanitation Normative content of the right (criteria) Procedural aspects (HR principles)
- 4. Obligations of governments and holding them to account FACILITATE PROVIDE PROMOTE FULLFILL PROTECT RESPECT
- 5. The Social Accountability Model How social accountability works Participation and inclusion, expression of voice, meaningful engagement, deliberation and advocacy Duty bearers informed and incentivised to act transparently and with integrity to implement and improve performance Claiming and monitoring of rights, access and tenure within an open and responsive system SERVICE DELIVERY, ACCESSTO GOVERNANCE, RESOURCES & INFORMATION Processes at play in delivery of social accountability aims (after Robinson 2016) IMPROVED GOVERNANCE & DEMOCRACY EMPOWERED CITIZENS & CIVIL SOCIETY
- 6. CSOs holding government to account in Kenya
- 7. CSOs holding government to account in Bangladesh
- 8. Conclusions and reflections •Scaling up (district -> national) •Public & private sector accountability •Capacity building -> technical advisory
Editor's Notes
- interlinkages between WASH and IWRM
- Watershed supports CSOs both on Normative content (and claiming their rights if not yet met) as well as supporting CSOs to engange in the the procedurel part/principles of Human Rights to Water and Sanitation, For this presentation we focus on the principles that are used in our social accountability approaches: acccess to information, non-discrimination, accountability and participation.
- Governments are obliged to do everything that they can to ensure that everyone’s human rights are fulfilled, protected and respected. The obligation to fulfil requires States to adopt the necessary appropriate legislative, administrative, budgetary, judicial, promotional and other measures to facilitate, promote and provide WASH services. However, they often lack capacity, resources and motivation realise these rights. The role of civ society, through social and public accountability processes, gives decision-making process its external legitimation. An effective governance of water resources and services requires transparency, rule of law and checks & balances, to ensure that elected officials and those in public service account for their actions and answer to those they serve. In its turn, civil society engagement and participation in an inclusive, transparent and accountable manner is a precondition for more sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions. Giving voice to the voiceless.
- The model by Water Witness International. Social accountability approaches can be used to ensure that the government fulfills its obligations in particular the principles of “Access to information, non-discrimination, and participation” and to seek their accountability to users. Watershed carefully selects local CSOs who in particular those who are representing the excluded groups, to ensure their voices and demands are heard. Through strengthening the capacity of these local CSOs, we have reached improved governance and services.
- Kenya, working with women’s and disabled organisations, engaging them in WASH accountability Similar video stories soon available from Uganda, Banlgadesh and India
- Bangladesh: Mention how CSOs influence local government public WASH budgets through increased public consultation, budget tracking tools, increased transparency and accountability (wall painting) Excluded nomadic (Bede) population in Bangladesh got seat on local water management committee supported by local CSOs and was empowered to speak out and articulate their demands to local govt representatives who as duty bearers are responsible to provide water and sanitation for all