Protection Mainstreaming: WASH & Protection Clusters working together
Through a Mobile Data System utilized by the Protection Cluster Field Mission, conducted 18-22 April 2016, some of the important initial findings related to the WASH issues were reported. This feedback is useful to the WASH Cluster to continue its protection-focused work:
- Overall, women are enduring hardships to attend to the needs of their families during the drought.
- It was generally reported for delivery of humanitarian services that IDPs experienced discrimination with respect to host communities.
- 37% of the groups questioned said that the service quality is low and accessibility difficult for a variety of reasons. For example, in Megale, the women are saying that they have to walk an average of 6 hours/day to fetch water. Meanwhile the children are left alone;
- In addition, it was reported, during the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with the girls and women that some girls do not go to school because there are no separate latrines for boys and girls. Another compounding factor is the that families fear for their daughters walking long distances, exposing them to risks of violence;
- 50% responded that services, due to their design and distance are rarely accessible for persons with reduced mobility (e.g.: person with physical disabilities, the elderly, chronic illness).
- 64% of the FGDs indicated that WASH facilities are inadequate on nonexistent at school
- The mission also observed skin diseases, mainly on children.
The Right to Water and Sanitation
Everyone is entitled to water and sanitation that is sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable.
In 2010, the General Assembly and Human Rights Council 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 right to water and sanitation is derived from existing human rights treaties and obligations and is implicit in the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and the right to life, and fundamental for ensuring human dignity. International humanitarian law also specifically protects access to safe drinking water and sanitation, including water infrastructure.
What is Protection Mainstreaming?
The Global Protection Cluster (GPC) defines protection mainstreaming as “the process of incorporating protection principles and promoting meaningful access, safety, and dignity in humanitarian aid”, with Four Key Elements:
- Prioritize safety and dignity, and avoid causing harm: Prevent and minimize as much as possible any unintended negative effects of your intervention which could increase people's vulnerability to both physical and psychosocial risks.
E.g. Consider that location, lighting and privacy can make women feel insecure and not utilize the service; create divide between groups.
- Equity and meaningful access: Take pro-active steps to ensure beneficiaries’ meaningful access to impartial assistance and facilities - in proportion to need and without any barriers (i.e. discrimination).
Pay special attention to individuals and groups who may be particularly vulnerable or have difficulty accessing assistance and facilities.
E.g. If sanitary facilities are placed where a person in a wheelchair cannot enter, in practice means that the service has not been provided.
- Accountability to affected populations: Set up appropriate mechanisms through which affected populations can receive the information they need to make informed decisions, provide feedback on the humanitarian interventions, share concerns and submit complaints. Accountability is articulated internally through the project’s own mechanism, and independently through an independent feedback and complaints mechanism. The Communication with Communities (CwC) Working Group is dedicated to sharing lessons learned and coordinating activities implemented by HCT E.g. In the geographic area you work, who are most in need? How do you priorities them and where do you start?
- Participation and empowerment: Support the development of self-protection capacities and assist people in claiming their rights, including - but not exclusively - the rights to shelter, food, water and sanitation, health, and education. Participation and empowerment are integrated throughout the toolkit while humanitarian actors in SS propose to assist people in claiming their rights by promoting both the duties and responsibilities of the authorities, recognized community leaders, and the beneficiaries towards the services provided.
E.g. When addressing WASH in a crowded IDPs area, how do you work with the community to address child protection concerns; gender-based violence & exploitation; the specific needs of disabled people?
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