March 22 is observed as World Water Day all around the world to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
The day was established to be celebrated as an annual event in the year 1993 by the decision of the United Nations General Assembly. Each year a new theme is chosen by the United Nations. The theme for World Water Day, 2019 is ‘leaving no one behind’.
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The theme for World Water Day 2019 is ‘Leaving no one behind,’ which is the central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development- as sustainable development progresses, everyone must benefit.
Why do we need World Water Day?
Water is an essential building block of life. It is more than just essential to quench thirst or protect health; water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social, and human development.
Whoever you are, wherever you are – water is your human right. Yet, 2.1 billion people live without safe water in their homes. More on Friday’s #WorldWaterDay: https://t.co/sJNyOO6L9P pic.twitter.com/jcBguNeTKC
— United Nations (@UN) March 22, 2019
Today, billions of people are still living without safe water, which means ‘safely managed drinking water service’: water that is accessible on the premises, available when needed, and free from contamination. Their households, schools, workplaces, farms and factories struggling to survive and thrive.
The human right to water entitles everyone, without discrimination, to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use; which includes water for drinking, personal sanitation, washing of clothes, food preparation, and personal and household hygiene.
Water for all
We must focus our efforts towards including people who have been marginalized or ignored. Water services must meet the needs of marginalized groups and their voices must be heard in decision-making processes. Regulatory and legal frameworks must recognize the right to water for all people, and sufficient funding must be fairly and effectively targeted at those who need it most.