A/HRC/12/24 page 25 78. Various systems and structures can be put in place to ensure affordability, including income support measures, and measures that aim to reduce the cost of sanitation services. One option might be subsidy schemes to ensure affordability. Governments could also consider setting targets which represent a percentage of the household income. Experience suggests that in-kind contributions (such as labour) are also effective in sanitation projects. Technology choice can also have an impact on affordability (as well as sustainability). Human rights do not dictate which policy is best, but insist on a context-specific consideration of the situation. 79. Concerning the cost of sanitation, there may be differences depending on the area. For example, in urban areas, a connection to the sewerage system will almost always be the cheapest and most convenient option for the user. However, as with water connections, the price of a connection to the sewerage system will often be prohibitive for users living in poverty, and governments should develop policies to address this. In remote areas, where sewerage is normally not available, on-site sanitation is likely to be the preferable option. This may require subsidies for construction, emptying of receptacles for the collection of human waste, and associated maintenance. Assistance should also be provided to families who are unable to afford soap and cleaning products, or sanitary products for women. 5. Acceptability 80. Sanitation facilities and services must be culturally acceptable. Personal sanitation is still a highly sensitive issue across regions and cultures and differing perspectives about which sanitation solutions are acceptable must be taken into account regarding design, positioning and conditions for use of sanitation facilities. In many cultures, to be acceptable, construction of toilets will need to ensure privacy. In most cultures, acceptability will require separate facilities for women and men in public places, and for girls and boys in schools. Women’s toilets need to accommodate menstruation needs. Facilities will need to allow for culturally acceptable hygiene practices, such as hand washing and anal and genital cleansing. VII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 81. International human rights law entails clear human rights obligations related to access to sanitation. The inextricable links between sanitation and so many human rights mean that international human rights law requires States to ensure access to sanitation that is safe, hygienic, secure, affordable, socially and culturally acceptable, provides privacy and ensures dignity in a non-discriminatory manner. However, only looking at sanitation through the lens of other human rights does not do justice to its special nature, and its importance for living a dignified life. In this regard, although the discussion about recognition of a distinct right to sanitation is ongoing, the independent expert supports the current trend of recognizing sanitation as a distinct right. In line with these conclusions, the independent expert offers the following recommendations: (a) Legal recognition and respect: • States are encouraged to support legal and political developments at all levels towards broader recognition of sanitation as a distinct human right