Comprehension Passage
The 1999 UNECE/World Health Organization Protocol on Water and Health emphasizes equitable access to water and sanitation, with a particular focus on gender aspects. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation disproportionately impacts women, who require appropriate facilities for managing menstruation, health, and education. Women also face challenges in participating in decision-making processes, although their involvement can greatly benefit water, sanitation, and health measures. To address these issues, Parties to the Protocol developed the Equitable Access Score-card, a self-evaluation tool to identify and solve problems in equitable access to water and sanitation. This tool revealed gender disparities, particularly in school sanitation, prompting countries like North Macedonia to improve menstrual hygiene management in educational institutions.
In 2022, the Protocol's Parties began revising the Equitable Access Score-card to integrate lessons from over a decade of application, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other emergencies. This revision places greater emphasis on assessing menstrual hygiene management and the emergency responsiveness of WASH service providers. The draft revised Score-card was piloted in Montenegro and Albania, with the final version set for launch in December 2024. Gender considerations are mainstreamed in the Water Convention’s work, promoting gender-balanced participation in transboundary water cooperation and integrating gender-related questions in SDG Indicator 6.5.2 reporting. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure both women and men are involved in and benefit from water, sanitation, and cooperative efforts.
Which Sustainable Development Goal indicator includes gender-related questions in its reporting under the Water Convention?
1
SDG Indicator 6.1.1
2
SDG Indicator 5.2.1
3
SDG Indicator 6.5.2
4
SDG Indicator 7.1.1