The African Development Bank, in partnership with Human Right 2 Water and the Water Research Commission, will host a webinar to highlight insights and best practices from their joint publication, Water Policies to Support Investment in Humans and Nature: A Compilation of Good Practices in Africa. The event will focus on how human rights-based approaches can enhance water and sanitation investments across the continent.
The webinar will delve into findings from the report, emphasizing the importance of equitable and sustainable access to water—recognized as a fundamental human right. It will explore how integrating human rights principles into policy and investment strategies can help address persistent challenges in delivering water and sanitation services, especially to marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Participants will learn how legal frameworks and real-world case studies from countries such as Senegal, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Chad, and South Africa demonstrate the practical value of rights-based approaches. These examples will show how principles like non-discrimination, accountability, participation, and sustainability can be embedded into water policies and legislative reforms.
The event will bring together government officials, legal experts, development practitioners, and civil society actors from across Africa. It will offer practical guidance for incorporating human rights standards into water sector programs and project design, including strategies for inclusive stakeholder engagement and community-led development. The webinar will also highlight how ecosystem-based approaches can promote long-term water security.
Ultimately, the session aims to showcase the role of legal tools and rights-based planning in creating more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable water and sanitation systems across Africa.
