World Water Day: “Leaving No One Behind”
Today, March 22, the international day of water is celebrated throughout the world, an essential element of sustainable development.
It is a day that aims to raise awareness among the world population of the importance of one of the most important natural assets for our survival, water.
“Water is a human right. Nobody should be denied access. This World Water Day is about upholding this right for all, leaving no one behind.”
Theme of the year
The theme for World Water Day 2019 is ‘Leaving no one behind’. This is an adaptation of the central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: as sustainable development progresses, everyone must benefit.
Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water for all by 2030. By definition, this means leaving no one behind.
“Leaving no one behind”
Water, a human right
In 2010, the UN recognized “the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.”
The human right to water entitles everyone, without discrimination, to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use; which includes water for drinking, personal sanitation, washing of clothes, food preparation, and personal and household hygiene.
“Whoever you are, wherever you are, water is your human right”
Facts & Figures
Some 2.1 million people live without safe water at home.
The richest tend to receive quality water, sanitation and hygiene services at a low or very low cost, while the poorest pay a much higher price for a service of equal or lower quality.
