Stigma and the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2012, para. 31
Paragraph- Paragraph text
- The situation is similar for many ethnic groups across the globe. Access to water and sanitation for Roma is notoriously precarious. It is not uncommon for Roma communities, including those living in countries where non-Roma communities have universal access to water and sanitation, to lack even rudimentary access, as found by the Special Rapporteur during her mission to Slovenia (A/HRC/18/33/Add.2, paras. 33-36). This situation highlights one of the insidious qualities of stigma: it has a self-fulfilling and circular nature. Roma are stereotyped as being "dirty", "smelly" and "unclean" while being denied access to water and sanitation. Sometimes, well-meant interventions can reinforce their stigmatization. Reportedly, some municipalities in Eastern Europe have implemented shower programmes in schools, encouraging Roma children to take a shower before entering the classroom-with the unintended effect of identifying them as being too "dirty" to receive education and as such further entrenching their stigmatization.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Year
- 2012
- Paragraph type
- Other
- Paragraph number
- 31
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