A/62/214 effective measures to stop third parties from interfering with access to water and sanitation. For example, a State must take effective steps to ensure that private service providers do not compromise access to safe water and adequate sanitation. The duty to fulfil requires a State to provide those living in poverty with the minimum essential amount of water and basic sanitation if they would otherwise be unable to access them. 83. In other words, whether the supply of water and sanitation facilities is entrusted to a public or a private company, a State remains responsible for the proper regulation of its water and sanitation systems, as well as for the health and well-being of the most disadvantaged in its jurisdiction. Participation 84. The active and informed participation of individuals and communities in health policymaking that affects them is an important feature of the right to the highest attainable standard of health. The right requires that special efforts be made to ensure the participation of individuals and groups that have traditionally been excluded or marginalized. For instance, in the context of water and sanitation, even though women bear a disproportionate burden in the collection of water and disposal of family wastewater, they are often excluded from relevant decisionmaking processes. States should therefore take measures to ensure that women are not excluded from decision-making processes concerning water and sanitation management. 85. In most cases, communities and groups have a better sense of the kind of water and sanitation services they require and how those services should be managed. Therefore, when formulating its national water and sanitation policy and programmes, a State should take steps to ensure the active and informed participation of all those likely to be affected. International assistance and cooperation 86. States have the obligation to take steps individually and through international assistance and cooperation towards the full realization of various rights, including the right to health. Depending upon the availability of resources, developed countries should provide financial and technical assistance to supplement the resources of developing countries with a view to ensuring that everyone has access, as promptly as possible, to safe water and adequate sanitation. 87. Given the massive public health challenge posed by the inadequacy of water and sanitation facilities in the developing world, the Special Rapporteur reminds States of the commitments made under the Millennium Declaration and the World Summit on Sustainable Development and emphasizes the need for a global partnership on water and sanitation, aimed at establishing an effective, integrated water and sanitation supply system delivering quality affordable water and sanitation for all. Monitoring and accountability 88. The right to health brings with it the crucial requirement of accessible, transparent and effective mechanisms of monitoring and accountability. Those with right-to-health responsibilities must be held to account in relation to the discharge of 07-45379 19