ABSTRACT
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include ambitious targets for universal access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. These targets apply to all countries and not only aim to end open defecation and extend access to basic services for all, but also to progressively improve service levels over time. This reflects a growing concern within the WASH sector with the equity, safety and sustainability of services provided. This chapter outlines the evidence base and recommendations from international consultations on post-2015 monitoring and discusses the conceptual and practical challenges associated with monitoring inequalities in service levels based on the normative criteria of the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation. It describes WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP) proposals for enhanced WASH monitoring using water, sanitation and hygiene ‘ladders’ which build on MDG indicators and establish new international benchmarks for the SDG period. A key principle guiding emerging proposal for SDG WASH monitoring has been the concept of progressive achievement of universal access while reducing and eliminating inequalities in service levels.
