Sanitation Matters

Experts discussed past achievements and future challenges for sanitation worldwide at a birthday celebration for Waterlines – a journal focusing on water, sanitation and waste. Problems associated with subsidies, the merits and limitations of sewers, and the benefits and drawbacks of a human rights approach were all debated at the packed event.

The odourless and hygienic Ventilated Improved Pit latrine has improved the lives of tens of millions of Africans. In this episode, Dr Peter Morgan – a pioneer in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector for the last four decades – describes how he designed this toilet and how it was rolled out in his adopted country Zimbabwe.

Around 10 per cent of the world’s population is disabled, yet few researchers and interventions address improving access to toilets for this marginalised group. SHARE, WaterAid and the Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre organised a two-day workshop in March to discuss these issues and how to generate a cost-benefit analysis to persuade policy-makers to take action.