Paper short abstract:

The paper analyzes social vulnerability and its relationship with organizational and institutional structures of basic sanitation in Brazilian municipalities in 2010 and recent developments. We integrate data from 3 sources. Results show a strong relationship between social vulnerability and the allocation of organizational, institutional, and financial resources on sanitation at the local level.

Paper long abstract:

This paper is part of the panel proposal SDGs: Employing Capability Approach to Creating Social and Economic Impact in Development and Policy submitted by Brian Ikejiaku

Research Context

Despite the UN Declaration explicitly stating that health and well-being are basic human rights, health status around the world remains noticeably unequal. While current life expectancy in developed countries is as high as 75 to 80 years, a child born today in Sub Saharan Africa will not live more than 50 to 55 years. Lack of food, clothing, housing, medical care, and necessary social services to ensure adequate standard of living and security are widespread signs of persistent health disparities at national and global levels. Within this context, it is not surprising that the United Nations has put forth agendas such as the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in addition to programs to measure progress towards their various targets. Health is a basic human right that is essential for the fulfilment of capabilities such as life and bodily health. SDG-6 Clean Water and Sanitation aims to improve access to water supply, sanitation, and hygiene, which are understood as basic capabilities or “elementary things,” as they are necessary for survival and to avoid deprivation. However, they are not limited only to “elementary things,” as they enable individuals to aspire, claim, and achieve more complex doings and beings as well as freedoms.

Methodology

This paper analyzes social vulnerability and its relationship with organizational and institutional structures of basic sanitation in Brazilian municipalities in 2010 (last available census data) and recent developments. The study integrates data from: 1) 2000/2010 Social Vulnerability Index (IVS); 2) 2011 Municipal Basic Information Survey (MUNIC); and 3) 2009 Finance of Brazil (FINBRA).

Analysis & Conclusions

Between 2000-2010, social vulnerability dropped 26.9%, and municipalities with high vulnerability plummeted from 45.7% to 14.4%. Results show a strong relationship between social vulnerability and the allocation of organizational, institutional, and financial resources on sanitation at the local level. Municipalities with very low vulnerability have committed significantly more resources than those municipalities with very high vulnerability. Findings are put into perspective considering more recent data on sanitation, which illuminate the setbacks and threats for Brazil to meet the SDGs targets by 2030. However, policies addressing SDG 6 could change the picture dramatically creating social and economic impact in development and people´s life, if informed by the capability approach. Three conceptual bases are highlighted: 1) Although SDG 6 has several goals and targets, the capability approach stresses that ends are not just metrics, but the freedom individuals must enjoy beings and doings they value regarding their health. Moreover, means deserve attention as the process matters perhaps more than the outcome, and freedoms and well-being are developed along the process. 2) Although SDG 6 will affect an individual’s life and body health, its real impact will be on collective well-being and society at large. The capability approach is “people centered,” looking not only at the isolated individual per se, but also to the individual’s relations and role as part of social networks and the broader community. 3) SDG 6 can only be achieved through major government engagement. Although the capability approach puts individual agency at the center, it acknowledges the importance of organizations (e.g., governments, international organizations, market) and institutions (e.g., rules, norms, policies). Additionally, conversion factors – both social and environmental – highlight the importance of translating and/or using resources for functionings. The capability approach serves as an enlightening conceptual lens, while Sustainable Development Goal SDG-6 Clean Water and Sanitation works as an important guideline on how poor sanitation can affect people’s functioning with implications on health and wellbeing. Particularly in extreme situations, the most vulnerable and poor populations experience the most severe impacts, challenging their paths to more meaningful, free, and fulfilled lives. The Covid 19 pandemic is a clear example.