A/HRC/15/55* water and sanitation sectors in Bangladesh, and on how these resources are invested and who benefits from them. She also calls upon the Government: (a) To develop and implement a specific sanitation plan of action, consistent with human rights, with clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the target of reaching 100 per cent coverage by 2013 becomes a reality; to urgently build the necessary number of wastewater treatment plants, seeking international assistance where necessary; to design sanitation subsidies for the poorest segments of the population to ensure that they reach the intended beneficiaries; and to focus on hygiene education and behaviour change to ensure that the gains achieved in the area of sanitation are not lost; (b) To undertake nationwide water-quality testing in a systematic, regular and coordinated fashion, including testing for pollutants, in addition to arsenic; to implement plans to use alternative sources of water (e.g., rainwater and surface water), since groundwater sources are being rapidly depleted and are exacerbating water quality concerns; to develop plans for the construction of water-treatment plants throughout the country; and to ensure that the most vulnerable members of the population have access to arsenic-free water, including through well-targeted subsidies for arsenic filters, and potentially the development of cash-transfer programmes for treating arsenic-contaminated water; (c) To ensure full consultation with concerned stakeholders in the development of the Draft Water Act. This law should place human rights at its centre, be consistent with general comment No. 15 of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and should constitute a concrete plan of action for the Government to realize its ambitious goal to achieve safe water for all by 2011. The law should include specific funding, a timeline for implementation and clearly-delineated responsibilities, as well as foresee the creation of an independent regulatory institution for the water and sanitation sectors; (d) To adopt an explicit policy to address the situation of Dalits, and to eliminate discrimination against them; and to take special measures to improve the situation of sweepers, including by ensuring the protection of their health while at work, and that they have access to safe drinking water and sanitation in their homes; (e) To eliminate discriminatory attitudes and stereotypes concerning girls and women, which place the primary burden of collecting water on them and hinder their safe access to sanitation; and to take special measures to ensure that women and girls have access to information about menstrual hygiene, and that sanitation facilities enable them to practice good menstrual hygiene. 126. The independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty recommends that the Government: (a) Adopt a comprehensive long-term social protection strategy and increase coordination among various stakeholders. Fragmentation significantly hampers the effectiveness of existing initiatives undertaken by both the Government and civil society. The Government should work in coordination with civil society organizations and donor agencies towards the creation of a holistic social protection strategy that goes beyond the current social safety net approach in place. The aims of realizing the rights to social security, just and favourable conditions of work and an adequate standard of living should be at the core of such a framework. The Government must also shift its current emphasis on safety nets to a long-term investment on permanent social assistance strategies, and increase the population’s resilience in future crises; GE.10-15451 29