A/HRC/42/47/Add.5 excluded, stigmatised and disadvantaged, both in their access to water and sanitation, and in society as a whole. A. Recommendations on access to water and sanitation by people that are left behind RECOMMENDATION 15: “Revisit the National Settlement Policy in view of providing equal access to water and sanitation for all, regardless of where they live.” (A/HRC/33/49/Add.3, para. 72(i)) RECOMMENDATION 16: “Establish clear budget lines to provide assistance to the water and sanitation systems that are not connected to the central network, particularly in urban periphery, rural and remote areas.” (A/HRC/33/49/Add.3, para. 72(l)) 59. At the time of his visit, there existed in Botswana a distinct disparity in water and sanitation service availability and adequacy between urban and rural areas, which, it was noted, was in part caused by the operation of the National Settlement Policy. To fix this inequality of access, the Special Rapporteur identified the need to revisit the National Settlement Policy and to provide greater funding for ensuring access to water and sanitation for resettled populations (A/HRC/33/49/Add.3, paras. 55-57). 60. In its response to the question posed by the Special Rapporteur in the follow-up questionnaire, which asked the Government to describe any measures it had taken to revisit the National Settlement Policy, the Government replied that it is “committed to ensuring that every Motswana has access to basic social services wherever they are. To that effect, Government has developed a ten (10) years (2015-2025) Affirmative Action Framework for Remote Area Communities with Goal 4 of the Framework ensuring access to social and basic services which include amongst others, provision of potable water and improved access to adequate sanitation services.” The response noted that the main aims of Goal 4 are to provide water for drinking and for livestock needs in remote areas; to provide adequate sanitation amenities; and to provide services for the management of sanitation and wastewater. Under the framework, efforts are coordinated by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and individual sectors must submit a progress report every quarter. Furthermore, during the Universal Periodic Review on Botswana, civil society stated that Botswana “had created the Remote Area Development Programme which benefits people living more than 15 km outside of villages. Those with no water, access to land, or access to other services such as healthcare and education qualify for support within this Programme. Qualifying citizens receive five cattle or fifteen goats, and children are provided with food, toiletries, bedding, and transportation to school.”18 61. In its submission to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Government reported that “[O]verall improvements have been registered in water access as about 774,000 people received improved water supply in the rural areas in 2015 as compared to 752,000 in 2013. The policy on agriculture and rural development currently in formulation stage, aims to target the issue by prioritizing access to natural resources, particularly water, as a way to improve the situation of rural women in Botswana.”19 The increase in the number of people in rural areas receiving improved water is a positive step, and evidences the compliance of the Government with its obligation to progressively realise the human right to water for these people. 62. According to the report of the Working Group of the Universal Periodic Review on Botswana in April 2018, “[p]rogress had been made in improving the lives of members of communities located in remote areas under the Affirmative Action Framework for Remote Area Communities. Consultations were ongoing with the communities in question, including those located around the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, regarding issues affecting them. Six boreholes had been drilled in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve for use by its residents 18 19 Summary of Stakeholders’ submissions on Botswana, A/HRC/WG.6/29/BWA/3, para. 46. CEDAW/C/BWA/4, para. 166. 15