On 2nd October 2014
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or Clean India
Mission. The aim is to eliminate the practice of open defecation by October
2019 by constructing 12 million toilets in rural India.
However, building
sanitation facilities is not enough to stop open defecation. As well as the
providing of sanitation facilities, it must be ensured that they are in working
condition, they must be kept clean and maintained properly. Dirty facilities
become unused facilities. That is why creating awareness and understanding
among people of the importance of the use and maintenance of sanitation
facilities is fundamental. If people do not understand the importance of
having, using and maintaining clean toilets, there will not be a behaviour
change. Maintenance and use of facilities are great challenges.
Let us take the
example of a public school of a village in Western Uttar Pradesh where recently
new sanitation facilities have been built. Toilets are separated for boys and
girls and seem to be functioning. However, taking a closer look at the inside
of the sanitation facilities it is impossible not to notice that the hygienic
conditions of the toilets are not appropriate; the floor is wet and dirty and
there is no disposal for used sanitary napkins. That is when I have learnt that
the people of the village in charge of the cleaning do not carry out properly
their work and that the dust bin has been stolen from the toilets.
If toilets are not
clean, there is a higher risk of infections and
diseases. It can also happen that children
would not be inclined to use them. As for girls going to school in their
period, it is fundamental to have a place for the disposal of used sanitary
napkins to ensure they can change them regularly and without feeling
uncomfortable. Toilets need to be cleaned and provided with the
essential tools. Attendance of children, particularly girls, improves when they
can use good sanitation facilities. Children need to be taught to use, clean
and maintain facilities. In addition, people that are in charge of cleaning
have to understand the importance and necessity of proper hygienic conditions
of toilets.
Creating awareness of
the issue is the way to ensure the success of the Clean India Mission. There is
no possibility for a behaviour change without it. Especially in the rural area,
where is concentrated the 68.85% of the population, is important to make a
change since 61% of the population still defecates outside, against the 10% living
in the urban area. Open defecation is still practiced even if toilets has been
provided. To solve this issue, awareness must be created among all the
community. Maintaining clean sanitation facilities is a responsibility of every
citizen and it requires the participation of everyone. Behaviour change and
communication programmes are much more important than building toilets.
NGOs like Heeals are a
fundamental part in the mobilisation and support of local groups. Organising
workshops and other educational activities are an effective way to educate
children and to include families and members of the community in the awareness
process. They can help to develop shared norms in the community and to
understand and support hygiene improvement in schools. Awareness raising and
promotion in the community is the key for a successful result.
-Heeals Intern
Sources:
INDIA 2016, A Reference Annual, Compiled by New Media
Wing, Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,
Government of India, 2016.
http://www.wsp.org/Hygiene-Sanitation-Water-Toolkit/Resources/Readings/IRC_swashh[1].resourcebook.pdf
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/modi-launches-my-clean-india-campaign/article6468047.ece
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