Monitoring and Evaluation for Rural Sanitation and Hygiene: Framework

Abstract

The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) Guidelines and Framework presented in this document (and in the accompanying M&E Indicator Framework) aim to encourage stakeholders in the rural sanitation and hygiene sector to take a more comprehensive, comparable and people focused approach to monitoring and evaluation. Many M&E frameworks currently reflect the interests and ambitions of particular implementing agencies – that is, community-led total sanitation (CLTS) interventions focused on open-defecation free (ODF) outcomes in triggered communities; market-based sanitation interventions focused on the number of products sold and whether sanitation businesses were profitable; and sanitation finance interventions reporting the number of facilities built using financial support. Few M&E frameworks have been designed to examine the overall sanitation and hygiene situation – to assess how interventions have affected sanitation and hygiene outcomes across an entire area (rather than just in specific target communities); to look at who (from the overall population) benefitted from the intervention, and who did not; to report on the level and quality of service used; or examine whether public health has improved. Since 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have extended and deepened the international monitoring requirements for sanitation and hygiene. The 2030 SDG sanitation target 6.2 includes requirements to: • Achieve access to adequate sanitation and hygiene for all • Achieve access to equitable sanitation and hygiene for all • End open defecation • Pay special attention to the needs of women and girls • Pay special attention to those in vulnerable situations The 2030 SDG sanitation target calls for universal use of basic sanitation services, and for the elimination of open defecation, both of which require M&E systems that cover entire administration areas (i.e. every person and community within a district) and which are able to identify people and groups that lack services, or continue unsafe practices. Fortunately, the SDG requirements are well aligned with the sector trend towards system strengthening, in recognition that governments are responsible both for the provision of sustainable services and for monitoring the achievement of sustained outcomes. This document provides guidelines on the monitoring and evaluation of rural sanitation and hygiene, and presents an M&E framework that outlines core elements and features for reporting on progress towards the 2030 SDG sanitation target (and related national goals and targets for rural sanitation and hygiene), while also encouraging learning and accountability. Given wide variations in the ambition, capacity and resources available for monitoring and evaluation, it is apparent that not all of the M&E processes and indicators described will be appropriate for all stakeholders. The intention is to provide guidelines and details on useful and progressive approaches to monitoring rural sanitation and hygiene, from which a range of rural sanitation and hygiene duty bearers and practitioners – including governments, implementation agencies, development partners and service providers – can select and use those most appropriate to their needs. Eventually, it is hoped that all of the more progressive M&E elements and features will become standard, and be incorporated in all sector monitoring systems.

Le Cadre et les lignes directrices de suivi et évaluation (S&E) présentés dans ce document (et dans le Cadre des indicateurs de S&E qui l’accompagne) visent à encourager les parties prenantes du secteur de l’assainissement et l’hygiène en zones rurales à adopter une approche plus holistique, comparable et axée sur l’humain en matière de suivi et d’évaluation.

As Orientações e o Quadro de Monitoria e Avaliação (M&A) apresentados neste documento (e no Quadro de Indicadores de M&A que o acompanha) visam incentivar os intervenientes no sector de saneamento e higiene nas zonas rurais a adoptar uma abordagem de M&A mais abrangente, comparável e centrada nas pessoas.

O presente documento dá orientações sobre a M&A dosaneamento e higiene nas zonas rurais e apresenta um quadro de M&A que descreve os principais elementos e características para dar conta do estado de avanço relativamente à meta de saneamento dos ODS para 2030 (e aos objectivos e metas nacionais de saneamento e higiene nas zonas rurais com eles relacionados), apelando, ao mesmo tempo, à aprendizagem e à prestação de contas.