Imagine this: You desperately need to use the restroom, but the only available facilities are dirty, poorly lit, and lack privacy. This scenario, a harsh reality for many in India, chips away at a fundamental human need – dignity. The constant battle to find a clean and private space to answer nature’s call breeds feelings of shame and embarrassment.
In a culture that emphasises cleanliness, the inability to maintain basic hygiene due to inadequate sanitation facilities can be deeply isolating. Consider a young girl who can’t participate in school activities because of a lack of proper toilets. This exclusion not only affects her education but also erodes her confidence and sense of belonging. The constant worry about hygiene can make social interaction a source of anxiety, leading to a withdrawal from friends and family.
Stress and Anxiety: A Psychological Tax
The lack of readily available clean toilets creates a constant low-grade stress that permeates daily life. This isn’t just about physical discomfort; it’s about the mental gymnastics one has to perform. Women, especially, face a heightened burden. They may restrict their fluid intake, especially outside the home, leading to dehydration and potential health issues. Their movements become limited, fearing the urgency of finding a suitable place to answer nature’s call. This constant state of “holding on” takes a toll on mental well-being.
The anxiety doesn’t stop there. Fears of contracting diseases due to unclean facilities or the risk of harassment and violence in poorly lit, unsafe toilets add another layer of stress. These anxieties can manifest as chronic low-level worry, difficulty concentrating, and even panic attacks. Left unchecked, they can lead to depression and other mental health issues.
Impact on Education: A Missed Opportunity
For girls, the lack of clean and private toilets in schools is a silent crisis. Menstrual hygiene becomes a significant barrier to education. Concerns about managing their periods in inadequate facilities, coupled with the fear of staining clothes or experiencing discomfort, lead to absenteeism. This not only impacts academic performance but can also lead to girls dropping out altogether.
The long-term consequences are far-reaching. Limited education for girls perpetuates the cycle of poverty and inadequate sanitation access. Without proper facilities, they are less likely to pursue careers or become agents of change within their communities.
Fear and Safety Concerns: A Universal Vulnerability
The lack of clean and well-lit toilets poses a safety risk for everyone, especially at night. Picture a dimly lit street, the only public facility far from the main road. This scenario creates a sense of vulnerability not just for women and girls, but for men, children, and the elderly as well. The fear of harassment or violence becomes a barrier to basic needs, restricting mobility and limiting late-night activities for everyone.
This lack of safe sanitation facilities creates a curfew for many. Individuals may avoid evening gatherings, work shifts, or even essential errands due to the fear associated with using inadequate facilities at night. This not only restricts opportunities but also reinforces a sense of insecurity for the entire community.
A Ripple Effect on Families: A Shared Burden
The burden of inadequate sanitation often falls disproportionately on women and girls, who are typically responsible for managing household hygiene. However, the stress of this situation affects everyone in the family. Fetching water, cleaning toilets (which may be inadequate themselves), and managing menstrual hygiene create a constant emotional load. This can lead to tension, frustration, and a sense of helplessness within the household.
Furthermore, the anxiety experienced by family members when using inadequate facilities creates additional worry. Parents may constantly fret about their children’s safety, and children themselves may develop anxieties around using toilets outside the home. This pervasive stress takes a toll on the overall well-being of the entire family unit.
Breaking the Cycle: A Collaborative Approach for Everyone
In India, thanks to the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission, we have toilets for every Indian. The challenge doesn’t lie in building toilets anymore, but in using them properly, and ensuring that they are clean and maintained for years to come. To make this happen, in a country where sanitation work is looked down upon, we needed strong and effective communication campaigns.
The Swachh Bharat Mission has used a multi-pronged approach that leverages several means and modes of communication, from traditional media to social media, school curriculum to cleanliness drives with your favourite movie star, to the Prime Minister washing the feet of sanitation workers on live television to convey how essential, and therefore respectful, the work they do is.
The GoI is backed by vocal supporters in this fight for behavioural change. Chief amongst them is Harpic, India’s leading brand in the lavatory care segment. For decades, Harpic has employed creative and thought provoking campaigns to communicate key messages around sanitation and toilet hygiene. Then, 3 years ago, Harpic joined hands with News18 to create Mission Swachhta aur Paani, a movement that upholds the cause of inclusive sanitation where everyone has access to clean toilets. Mission Swachhta aur Paani advocates equality for all genders, abilities, castes and classes and strongly believes that clean toilets are a shared responsibility.
Mission Swachhta aur Paani serves as a platform that brings together the right stakeholders on a common platform, so that issues of importance can be discussed, and solutions found. These stakeholders include govt officials, municipalities, NGOs, activists, grassroots organisations, sanitation workers and affected communities.
Under the aegis of Mission Swachhta aur Paani, several outreach programs have been undertaken, and several partnerships entered into, to come up with creative and effective ways of communicating and bringing about behavioural change. This article is part of that effort.
As is a brand new Sanitation for Good Health curriculum aimed at children at the preschool level that educates, entertains and engages children with the topic of sanitation and toilet hygiene, and the role it plays in their own health and the health of their families. This arose from a partnership between Mission Swachhta aur Paani and Sesame Workshop India, an educational non-profit. Mission Swachhta aur Paani and Sesame Workshop India have also worked together to promote positive sanitation, hygiene knowledge and behaviours among children and families through schools and communities, engaging with 17.5 million children across India.
Mission Swachhta aur Paani also functions as a repository for information on a vast variety of topics surrounding toilet access, toilet hygiene, and how to help improve toilet access and toilet habits across the board. This is so you too, can join the fight.
What we talk about matters, and through this repository of information, we hope to empower you to have the necessary conversations – whether it is at your child’s school, or your local municipality, amongst your family, or even on social media. Each interaction, each conversation is helping create a more Swasth aur Swachh Bharat. Join us here, to be a part of the Swachhta revolution.