People centred rights based approach to improve transparency, accountability and responsiveness in the WASH sector

Introducing Freshwater Action Network (FAN) – linking the local to the global Rights based approaches for improving governance and accountability at the local level Broad outline of the presentation

What is Freshwater Action Network? What is FAN? Freshwater Action Network (FAN) is a major network of civil society organisations implementing and influencing water and sanitation policy and practice. Our members, from more than 900 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from 89 countries, are respected for their unique skill, experience and perspective. Our consortium members are five regional networks – ANEW in Africa, FANSA in South Asia, FANCA in Central America FANMex in Mexico and FAN-AS in South America, with a global coordinating Secretariat based in London. FAN Global is the umbrella organisation. The illustration demonstrates how FAN Global facilitates and links different part of the network.

FAN Global has unique added value as… FAN Global has unique added value as… the only Global bottom-up platform to voice the issues of local level… Through this global network, members across communities, countries and continents are working together to influence policy and share their learning. We have seen lots of success over the past 10 years, from promoting the human right to water and sanitation, to supporting our members with the tools to participate in policy debates, and hold their governments to account. This is the basis of the Governance & Transparency programme, that FAN is implementing with WaterAid, funded by DFID, to gather evidence around innovative and local approaches to rights & governance for sustainable WASH outcomes.

Demanding rights and better governance The work presented today is from Andhra Pradesh, but the programme is active with WaterAid and FAN partners in Africa, South Asia and Central America. The overarching aim of the programme is to increase the capacity, resources and voice of civil society ‘policy communities’, including marginalised groups, to participate in effective and inclusive evidence-based dialogues with decision-makers in the water and sanitation arena and build pressure to secure pro-poor service delivery Through learning about what works we hope to replicate some of the innovations amongst other CBOs and NGOs and to advocate citizens approaches for policy and service delivery.

The poor can’t wait for their rights The situation in ANDHRA PRADESH, South India Remote communities where caste is a big issue Water and sanitation access is low Dry drought prone areas Poverty and illiteracy levels very high Service delivery is mainly by the government

People and rights Global recognition of the right to water and sanitation Right to life in the India Constitution Organising and empowering people around issues of WASH Capacity building on policies, institutional arrangements and budgets Improving negotiation skills and confidence building Rights based approaches in WASH start with addressing peoples priorities and identifying the legal and policy provisions that address peoples own poverty solutions as well as increasing access to sustainable water and sanitation services. In order to support people acquiring information and being empowered to use it, partners have Negotiation as citizens with dignity Ensuring money is well spent Articulating on how to find out How to be most effective in approach Be informed, be firm, be courageous

Using the right to information (RTI) Formation of people’s committees in rural villages with very poor and marginalised tribal communities Provision of information on entitlements and provisions due from government to communities Comprehensive training on RTI so communities fully understand their entitlements, the law and how to make requests for information Example of village allocation Ensuring money is well spent

Some other strategies Integrating WASH in the rural employment guarantee scheme (MGNREGS) Using the right to education to ensure WASH in schools

Leadership and co-operation Identify transformational leadership at all levels Support officials and politicians understand WASH and peoples rights Institutionalise formal platforms, especially for women and marginalised groups Leadership at all levels from the village to the state Articulate, passionate and visionary leaders Supporting officials and politicians in understanding rights, roles and responsibilities Institutionalise formal platforms – participation of women and Dalit – self help group movement At the community level individuals are rarely about to exert influence on policies and practices so a collective voice is needed. Citizens groups multiple and leverage the power of individuals. Women actively engage in local level village water and sanitation committees because issues of water affect women’s families. Women also understand the importance of working with government because both stakeholders are responsible to solve water problems. In India we also find new local officials coming up every year or two, and we work with the representatives of marginalised and scheduled castes and tribal groups and share knowledge of government provisions and processes. It is essential to engage with local government from the beginning of an initiative and carry them along throughout so that they are fully involved and ‘own’ the process. In the end it is they that must deliver.

CRSD’s approach Work with leaders of the poorest of the poor at the local and at the State level Create platforms using government offices and government staff as resources People collectively raising their issues Rights Based Approach is a transformational process RBA is a sustainable approach which increases transparency and responsiveness Description of CRSD experience here

Impact and value for money Communities in 17 villages in Warangal District secured 28million Indian rupees from government for 10,313 household latrines Government responsiveness to advocacy petitions has increased from 33% to 78% in 162 villages in Anantapur District The learning and empowerment that communities gain here leads to their ability to claim their rights in other sectors including in health, education, work, food security and other basic rights. 3 mandals (17 Grampanchaytas) 10,313

Thank you Investing in RBA in WASH is investing in poverty reduction and sustainable development