Small steps towards building national-regional-global coherence in monitoring WASH

The global system of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) monitoring lacks coherence. There are large numbers of monitoring initiatives, yet there are major gaps in data collection, analysis, and reporting. Despite the enormity of the challenge, there is reason for optimism. Some countries have taken the initiative to promote a convergence of user and provider data. Regional monitoring instruments are under development in Africa and South Asia reporting on regional political commitments; they should seek consistency with national and global systems. Global instruments such as the Joint Monitoring Programme and UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) have made significant advances and are well positioned to adapt to the post-millennium development goal environment; they should align with global accountability frameworks, such as the political accountability being built into Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) [author abstract]