Author: WASH-Net

As Sierra Leone undertakes the long-awaited review of its 1991 Constitution, a critical question stands before us: should access to safe water and adequate sanitation be recognized as fundamental human rights? WASHNet Sierra Leone believes the answer is clear. Water and sanitation are not services of convenience. They are essential to life, dignity, public health, gender equality, and national development. In its formal submission to the Constitutional Review Committee, WASHNet calls for the explicit constitutional recognition of these rights, ensuring that every Sierra Leonean, regardless of location or income, is legally guaranteed access to safe water and sanitation. This moment offers a rare opportunity to strengthen our legal foundation and secure a healthier, more equitable future for generations to come.

Over the past few years, Sierra Leone has made significant macroeconomic progress. Inflation, which stood at a daunting 54.5% in 2020, has been reduced to 20.2% by 2024. This reflects deliberate fiscal consolidation and stabilization reforms. Yet, while macroeconomic indicators are improving, the real impact on essential services—particularly in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)—remains limited….