Steps to achieve universal access to safely managed sanitation

Industry Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry [1][2][3] Core Viewpoints - The report emphasizes the importance of achieving universal access to safely managed sanitation (SMS) as a critical goal for global health, social development, and economic benefits [22][23] - Climate resilience and gender equity are highlighted as essential components of sanitation interventions [23][24] - The report advocates for a shift from short-term, project-based interventions to government-led, area-wide services that are professionally managed and regulated [22] Summary by Relevant Sections Background and Scope - The document aims to assist UNICEF and WHO country offices in implementing the UNICEF Game Plan to Reach Safely Managed Sanitation 2022–2030 and WHO Guidelines on sanitation and health [21] - The target audience includes national, sub-national, and local sanitation stakeholders, including government agencies, service providers, civil society organizations, and academia [34] Key Steps to Achieve Safely Managed Sanitation - Step 1: Assess the situation and build a common understanding of SMS Conduct a rapid assessment to identify gaps and prioritize actions, followed by a national orientation workshop to raise awareness among stakeholders [54][55] - Step 2: Plan to achieve safely managed sanitation Develop a national or sub-national action plan with clear roles, budgets, and timelines, ensuring inclusion of marginalized communities [65][66] - Step 3: Establish/update policies, legislations, regulations, standards, and guidelines Review and update sanitation policies to cover the entire sanitation service chain, addressing climate change and public health risks [72][73] - Step 4: Finance for safely managed sanitation Conduct assessments to track funding and develop financing strategies, including public funding, subsidies, and private sector investments [80][81] - Step 5: Strengthen public data systems Improve data collection and utilization to inform decision-making, resource allocation, and progress tracking [87][91] - Step 6: Improve service delivery towards safely managed sanitation Shift from project-based approaches to comprehensive, large-scale programming, focusing on hardware, behavior change, and local systems strengthening [94][97] - Step 7: Strengthen human resources capacity Address workforce shortages and skill gaps through training, capacity development, and professionalization of sanitation workers [103][104] - Step 8: Monitor and review plan Continuously update and improve the plan through periodic reviews, documentation of best practices, and knowledge exchange [112][113] Additional Resources and Tools - The report provides a comprehensive list of resources, including assessment tools, policy guidelines, and online courses, to support the implementation of the steps outlined [119][123][126] Climate Resilience and Gender Equity - Climate-resilient sanitation systems are crucial for maintaining services and enhancing community resilience, particularly in low-income and marginalized groups [23] - Gender and social inclusion are critical, with a focus on addressing barriers faced by women, girls, and marginalized groups in accessing safely managed sanitation [24]