---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ceridwen Johnson <f
...@freshwateraction.net>
Date: Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Subject: [Fansasia] FAN South Asia take lead in influencing SACOSAN outcomes
To: Undisclosed-Recipient
*New Delhi** – Freshwater Action Network **South Asia** joins hundreds of
grassroots organisations in welcoming South Asian governments' unprecedented
recognition of access to sanitation and safe drinking water as a basic
right. At the third South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN) in **
Delhi**, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's opening words that "Good
sanitation should be the birthright of every citizen in **South Asia**" have
made it into the official declaration.*
* *
The official declaration also asserts that giving "national priority to
sanitation is imperative". Around a billion people still live without
adequate sanitation in the region and 778 million practise open defecation.
"We welcome the SACOSAN declaration. We must now hold governments
accountable to their promises. The sustainable development of South
Asiadepends on good sanitation. However, up to now governments have
failed to
act with the urgency required", says Ramisetty Murali, Convenor of
Freshwater Action Network South Asia
Following a meeting of hundreds of grassroots organisations immediately
prior to the SACOSAN, Freshwater Action Network South Asia, along with
WaterAid and Water Supply and Sanitation Collaboration Council, have been
promoting a 'civil society declaration' which includes demands that
sanitation be recognised as a right, that sanitation be integrated into
health and education policies, and that separate sanitation facilities be
provided for girls at school.
We are delighted that all of our calls have been addressed in the SACOSAN
declaration.
Significantly, the declaration commits members states (Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) to
strengthen regional collaboration and promote independent monitoring.
Find out more by visiting the FAN South Asia website - www.fansasia.net
Ceridwen Johnson
Freshwater Action Network
Information & Communications Officer
www.freshwateraction.net
f...@freshwateraction.net
Tel: +44 20 7793 4509
Fax: +44 20 7793 4545
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