SDG 6 aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Get the full solved assignment PDF of MSD-019 of 2024 session now.
Progress towards this goal is critical for improving health, reducing poverty, and promoting sustainable development, particularly in developing countries where access to clean water and sanitation facilities is often limited. Let’s discuss the progress of two targets of SDG 6 and their indicators with reference to developing countries:
- Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services. This indicator measures the percentage of the population that has access to safely managed drinking water services, which includes access to water from an improved source that is located on premises, available when needed, and free from contamination. Progress in Developing Countries: Despite some progress, many developing countries continue to face challenges in achieving universal access to safely managed drinking water services. While access to improved water sources has increased in many regions, disparities persist, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. In sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, for example, a significant proportion of the population still relies on unimproved water sources such as unprotected wells and surface water, which pose risks of waterborne diseases and contamination. Governments and development organizations are working to improve access to safe drinking water through infrastructure development, water quality monitoring, and community engagement initiatives. Strategies such as promoting household water treatment and storage, building water supply systems, and investing in water purification technologies are being implemented to expand access to safe drinking water in remote and underserved areas.
- Target 6.2: 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. Indicator 6.2.1: Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services, including a handwashing facility with soap and water. This indicator measures the percentage of the population that has access to safely managed sanitation services, which include the use of improved sanitation facilities that are not shared with other households and have handwashing facilities with soap and water. Progress in Developing Countries: Progress towards achieving universal access to safely managed sanitation services has been slower compared to access to drinking water. Many developing countries still face significant challenges in providing adequate sanitation facilities, particularly in rural areas and informal settlements. Open defecation remains a widespread practice in some regions, contributing to poor public health outcomes and environmental contamination. Efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene in developing countries include implementing community-led total sanitation programs, constructing and maintaining sanitation infrastructure, and promoting behavior change interventions. These initiatives focus on raising awareness about the importance of sanitation and hygiene practices, addressing cultural barriers, and ensuring the availability of affordable and accessible sanitation facilities, especially for vulnerable populations such as women, children, and people with disabilities.
In conclusion, while progress has been made towards achieving the targets of SDG 6 in developing countries, significant challenges remain in ensuring universal access to clean water and sanitation services. Addressing these challenges requires sustained investment, innovative solutions, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to overcome barriers and accelerate progress towards the goal of water and sanitation for all.