Sanitation - a big problem in India, as half the population of our country do not have access to this facility. Mumbai is one of the biggest cities in the world and advanced in terms of its commercialization. However, sanitation is one of the most common issues neglected. Our team of women from Jan Jagruti went into the lanes of 3 areas Azad Mohala, Bharatiya Kamla Nagar, Vijay Nagar and spoke to women to understand the severity of the sanitation issue prevailing. These areas have severe problems with public health, due to improper sanitation infrastructure and insufficiency of toilet facilities, compounded by numerous issues of flooding during the monsoon season. Khaaddi, a local area/dumping ground, is widely used by local residents for urination and defecation, leading to the spread of contagious diseases. Though women use paid toilets, the issue of cleanliness and waiting in long queues are the most common problem before them. It is very insecure for them when they use open spaces for defecation.
Though it is the most basic responsibility of the government to provide free lavatory facilities but it is not taken seriously by state. The un-cleanliness of public toilets available is also need to concern because it is also cause for infection and subsequent affects on women health. It is a necessity and a matter of dignity that women need an easy access to toilet. Women are mainly affected from this problem because several times they have to face discrimination and disparity while using public toilets. Here in public toilets of Mumbai, there is no urinal charge for men but it cost Rs.1 for women. This poses a question on the fundamental right to equality for access to facility which is different for men and women. The gynecological and urinary tract problem run higher among who lack access to sanitation facilities. The women who dont have access to toilets have to face many dilemmas and also feel insecure while going open spaces.
After this survey, we came to know about certain severe problems of women due to this lack of toilet facility. These major problems are pointed out in brief here.
- Majority of women do not have lavatory provisions.
- Defecation in open spaces.
- Insecurity of women while going in open spaces.
- Health problem due to this unhygienic place used by them like dumping ground.
- Disparity among men and women in use of public toilets.
- It has become a way of life and passing on to their generations - making it a difficult cycle to break!
We need to understand that it is the violation of two fundamental rights- RIGHT TO LIFE and RIGHT TO EQUALITY. Right to life means right to life with dignity and are breached evidently in these cases.