Database • Plan International - Girls' Rights Platform - Girls' rights are human rights: Positioning girls at the heart of the international agenda

Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 24

Paragraph text: Although sometimes monetized in economic analyses, interventions provide some intangible benefits related to time saved, dignity gained and diseases and deaths prevented. The particularly positive impact for women and girls of investing in water and sanitation is crucial for achieving gender equality. Environmental benefits are also significant, given that improving water and sanitation services helps combat contamination and environmental degradation.

Body: Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation

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Paragraph text: Not all benefits can be monetized. Intangible benefits, such as time saved and dignity gained, warrant careful consideration for their impact on human well-being. The particularly positive impact for women and girls of investing in water and sanitation is crucial for realizing human rights obligations related to gender equality. Environmental benefits are also difficult to put a figure on, but may be enormous, given that improving water and sanitation services helps combat environmental degradation.

Body: Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation

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Paragraph text: With regard to water management, principle No. 3 of the Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development, adopted by the International Conference on Water and the Environment in 1992, acknowledges that "[w]omen play a central part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water.... [I]mplementation of this principle requires positive policies … to equip and empower women to participate at all levels in water resources programmes, including decision-making and implementation". While women's participation is essential, care must be taken to avoid reinforcing existing stereotypes about women and girls being solely responsible for water management, which in many instances implies water collection.

Body: Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation

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