Rights based approach

A human rights based approach considers all people equal, development should benefit all individuals. Therefore, when using this approach all development initiatives should work towards enabling equity in water and sanitation projects. To view examples of this approach please see implementing a rights based approach.

Women at the village meeting, Choobana focus village, Monze District, Zambia

WaterAid/ Jon Spaull

Rather than focusing purely on the economic growth of a State, a human rights approach focuses attention upon vulnerable individuals to ensure that no one is excluded.

It addresses power disparities and works towards social justice. By defining the the roles and responsibilities of both the duty bearer and the right holder it places responsibility upon the government and empowers individuals to claim what they are entitled to. It is participatory, ensuring all benefactors have their issues and views addressed.

The human rights approach to development tackles the discrimination and exclusion that are root causes of impoverishment.

The strength of the human rights based approach to development is that it is based on international human rights legal obligations, voluntarily adopted by states around the world. For more information on the benefits of rights see Why Rights.

Recognising that all individuals have their own unique potential, only needing the freedom and opportunity to lift themselves and their families out of poverty, the human rights based approach to development focuses on empowerment.

The human rights approach to development is simultaneously:

  • A Tool for Analysis and Policy Development which focuses attention on the inequalities, discrimination and inequitable power relationships which are among the root causes of poverty and unequal access to water and other essential services.
  • A Foundation of Legal Norms and Accountability for a people-centered approach to development policy and practice, based on a coherent framework of international legal standards voluntarily accepted by all states e.g. the rights to water, food, housing, healthcare, education and adequate income which, alongside liberties and freedom, are the bedrock of human development.
  • An Effective Process of Implementation and Service Delivery which fosters justice and equality, is respectful of human dignity, non-discriminatory, participatory, inclusive, empowering, collaborative (involving cooperation between all stakeholders), and ensures implementation of the rights to information and redress through transparent channels of communication and accountability.
  • Desired Outcomes – the human rights approach leads to disparity reduction, social cohesion, participation, equality, gender equity, the empowerment of individuals to achieve their full potential, local ownership of the development process and greater sustainability.

Source: Understanding a Human Rights Approach to Development, Rights and Humanity, 2006.