‘Leave no one behind’ is at the core of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Leave no one behind means for Sanitation for Millions that everyone, in any inhabited place, has access to a safely managed sanitation facilities and/or safe (hand-) hygiene, and thus can fulfil his/her WASH needs adequately and with dignity. Yet, as per WHO and UNICEF still more than 4.2 billion people suffer from being excluded from safe sanitation and hygiene services. The majority of people without access to safe sanitation and hygiene is amongst those most left behind in the world and normally belongs to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities or groups.

Sanitation for Millions has a the mandate to focus on vulnerable people in its commission and hence has designed measures and tools to address the needs and wants of those people, who are at risk of being left behind such as girls, people with disabilities, refugees or elderly people. That is why our donors have decided that the programme shall follow a child- and gender-friendly, inclusive and equitable approach and construct facilities that encourage hygienic practices that are adapted to the special needs of the users, especially of girls and women, and persons who are physically impaired.

Globally, one in seven lives with some form of disability. As per UNICEF there are at least 93 million children with disabilities worldwide.2 Sanitation for Millions focuses on physically disabled people who suffer from impaired mobility. A majority of physically impaired people live in developing countries and belong to the most marginalised and excluded groups in society. It is evident that the prevalence of physical impairment increases with rising poverty and distress, ill-health, and increasing age.

Bibliographic information

Gerlach, E., Koeberlein, M., Brandt, A. (2020). Sanitation for Millions - Inclusive WASH Activities A Documentation Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Sanitation for Millions Uganda

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PractitionersEnglishWomen's rights & representation and empowermentGender equalityGender transformative WASH

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