Your rights

You have the right to clean water to keep you healthy and fit, says the Convention on the Rights of the Child (article 24). This is a basic element of your right to survive and reach your full potential (article 6) – one of the guiding principles of the Convention.

© UNICEF/HQ96-0382/Charton

Standing in an alley near an outdoor latrine in a small village in Bumthang Valley, Bhutan.

Article 24 also says that governments must take into account the dangers of pollution and make sure that all adults and children are informed about hygiene and sanitation.

All services and facilities related to your health should meet established standards, says article 3. This article also outlines another of the four guiding principles of the Convention – that your best interests should be a top priority in all matters that affect you.

A third guiding principle – non-discrimination – is also relevant to water and sanitation rights. Article 2 says that you should have the same rights and access to facilities whether or not you have a disability, and whether you are a boy or a girl.

"We want the decision-makers to … ensure the participation, protection, survival and development of children and young people through promoting a safe environment for their healthy development and wellbeing." Children's Water Manifesto

The Convention's fourth guiding principle – your right to participate in matters that affect you (article 12) – also applies. Children should be involved in promoting, managing and designing water and sanitation projects, and in educating each other about hygiene.

The other crucial right in this context is the right to an education. Article 28 says governments must do everything possible to encourage regular attendance at school and reduce drop-out rates. Clearly illness from water-related diseases or lack of sanitation facilities will disrupt your education. In addition, the lack of clean, separate and private toilets at school is one reason why children (particularly girls) miss school.

Shupikai’s story begins

Read the two episodes of this true story and answer the questions to test how well you know your rights.  

Shupikai is 11. She lives in the Binga district of Zimbabwe with her parents and two younger sisters.

Shupikai's family did not to have a latrine or refuse pit. So when her mother fell ill with  tuberculosis and persistent diarrhoea – everyone in the family was at risk unless Shupikai swept up and buried the faeces carefully.