India became the fourth country in the world (after Russia, the United States, and the European Union) and the only emerging country to launch a Mars probe into space. But it remains part of a group of 45 developing countries with less than 50% sanitation coverage, where many citizens defecate in the open either due to lack of access to toilets or by personal choice. The mere construction of toilets does not guarantee their use. Deep-rooted habits, convenience, and socio-cultural norms associated with open defecation act as barriers. Even access to toilets, proper hand washing, and menstrual hygiene management require behavioral changes for optimal health benefits. Sustainable sanitation requires community ownership and active participation in program design and implementation. Achieving success in sanitation programs in India depends on promoting behavior change. This includes dealing with socio-economic and cultural factors, raising awareness, involving communities, increasing access, and using behavioral insights.

–Dr. Satyavan Saurabh

Behavior change plays an important role in the success of sanitation programs in India. While the construction of toilets is essential infrastructure, ensuring their sustained use requires addressing socio-economic and cultural factors that influence people’s attitudes and practices towards sanitation. The mere construction of toilets does not guarantee their use. Deep-rooted habits, convenience, and socio-cultural norms associated with open defecation act as barriers. Even access to toilets, proper hand washing, and menstrual hygiene management require behavioral changes for optimal health benefits. Sustainable sanitation requires community ownership and active participation in program design and implementation.

 India became the fourth country in the world (after Russia, the United States, and the European Union) and the only emerging country to launch a Mars probe into space. But it remains part of a group of 45 developing countries with less than 50% sanitation coverage, where many citizens practice open defecation either due to lack of access to toilets or by personal choice. For India, providing access to toilets in some form or the other is the easy part. The most difficult thing is to get people to use them. In rural areas, toilet rejection varies by gender. An ongoing study based on 300 focus groups with men across the country has revealed that they prefer open defecation instead of toilets because it: saves water; Provides access to fresh water and an airy environment; Reduces toilet wear and tear; Saves women from being embarrassed in the eyes of men; And offers a convenient excuse to avoid stubborn wives and mothers.

 Public agencies try to persuade families to invest in toilets for the safety of their young girls. But in villages, focus group-based studies with female teachers and girls revealed that a central benefit of open defecation is that it provides opportunities for same-gender social interaction for women. In many areas girls and women are not allowed to gather in public places to debate issues, exchange ideas, or simply relax together. Adolescents face even greater restrictions as older women often allow freer discussion among the youth. In this regard, open defecation provides an excuse to talk and spend time together, free from other constraints. Thus, eliminating open defecation in such villages first requires alternative safe gender-based spaces for social interaction.

 Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a very important and major program of the Government of India. But it is not just about building toilets. Rather, under, such toilets should be developed that people can use. Most importantly, it is also related to the system of disposal and treatment of dirt. This is very clear but how to carry it out is still a million-dollar question. Governments should ensure that toilets are accessible to all, especially marginalized groups, and consider affordability through subsidies or micro-financing schemes for better success of their sanitation programs. Design toilets that ensure privacy and dignity, especially for women and girls, while taking into account cultural sensitivity.

Provide training and support for proper toilet operation and maintenance, while being concerned about water availability and waste disposal.

Addressing the specific hygiene needs of women and girls, including menstrual hygiene management facilities and safe hygiene options during pregnancy. Connect with religious leaders and community elders to address culturally sensitive issues and integrate sanitation practices with existing belief systems. Empower local leaders, women, and sanitation workers to support sanitation practices and break sanitation-related taboos. Train to address. Introduce performance-based incentives for toilet use and recognize champions of change within communities.

Achieving success in sanitation programs in India depends on promoting behavior change. This includes dealing with socio-economic and cultural factors, raising awareness, involving communities, increasing access, and using behavioral insights. Through these efforts, the government can encourage sustainable toilet use and improved sanitation practices across the country. For an emerging country like India, it is easier to participate in exploratory missions to Mars than to tackle the sanitation challenge. The former can be addressed through a linear process led by an advanced, well-resourced Indian Space Research Organisation, while the latter requires systemic change involving thousands of towns and villages. For India to meet its goal of eliminating open defecation, collaboration and coordination among different types of systemic actors, generation of knowledge products in the form of accessible curriculum for masons and building and using only safe toilets is required. Community participation will be required.

Promotional | NE India Writing Star Contest