Interconnectedness of the Goals: Goal 4 & 6
Updated: Nov 4, 2018
Image credit: DFID
One of the most exciting aspects of the Global Goals is their interconnectedness. Previously, the multiple areas of development have been treated rather separately within their own categories. Now, however, we have a way to explore how social, environmental and economic development are all related to one another. This year, we are exploring how each goal and their associated targets need to see the achievement of each other in order to be fulfilled as a whole.
Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, and Goal 6 aims to provide clean water and adequate sanitation for all.
In January, we looked at the interconnectedness of Goal 4 and Goal 5 as well as the interconnectedness of Goal 5 and Goal 6. From these two articles, we learnt that girls and women in developing countries are disproportionately more affected by a lack of clean water and sanitation than men, especially when it comes to livelihoods and education.
Access to clean water and adequate sanitation are vital for a quality education for all learners. If clean water is readily available, there is no need to search for water, which reduces the time taken out of learning in order to fetch water. Access to clean water also means that there will be a reduced rate of illnesses and deaths due to water-borne diseases.
Adequate sanitation facilities are incredibly important for adolescent girls, especially once girls start menstruating. In communities where there are adequate sanitation facilities, the drop-out rate of adolescent girls is far lower than those without adequate sanitation facilities.
To find out more about these two goals and their interrelatedness, you can read more by visiting #Goal4: #QualityEducation and #Goal6: #CleanWater and #Sanitation.
This article was originally published on the Global Goals Australia Campaign website.