Sanitation crisis in Bengaluru's urban slums, with women bearing the brunt

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: The provision of adequate sanitation, a basic human right, continues to be a pressing issue for residents of urban slums in Bengaluru.

This article focuses on the specific hurdles faced by women in these areas and advocates for gender-responsive strategies to address the sanitation crisis urgently.

Health challenges for women

Inadequate sanitation facilities in urban slums expose women to considerable health risks.

The absence of clean toilets and proper hygiene practices increases susceptibility to waterborne diseases, such as cholera and diarrhoea.

Women, in particular, face heightened risks of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and reproductive health issues due to substandard sanitation conditions.

Furthermore, the lack of privacy and unhygienic menstruation practices elevate the risk of infections, undermining women's overall well-being. Dr. Chandrika Anand, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology at Fortis Hospitals, Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru, underscores the extensive impact of poor sanitation on women.

She highlights the need to prioritise separate sanitary facilities to promote school attendance among girls, emphasising that addressing the sanitation crisis is crucial for reducing anxiety, and sexual assault risks, and expanding opportunities for work and education.

Access issues to sanitation facilities

In many urban slums, private toilets are a luxury, compelling women to rely on public facilities that are often unsanitary and lack essential amenities like water supply.

Activist Sumatra M B emphasises that the threat extends to the nighttime use of public toilets. Mere awareness of women's hygiene and sanitation, she argues, falls short without tangible improvements in infrastructure and facilities.

In most restaurants and cafes, it is mandatory for the customer to purchase something to get access to the toilet. While some people can afford to get a coffee or cookies to access the toilet, the majority of the population cannot afford to make that purchase.

Safety and security concerns

The absence of well-lit and accessible toilets in urban slums poses serious safety concerns for women.

Forced to resort to open defecation or utilise shared facilities that are unsafe and poorly maintained, women face elevated risks, including the threat of sexual assault.

“The lack of proper sanitation facilities forces us to use open spaces or shared toilets that are often dirty and dangerous. This makes us vulnerable to harassment, assault, and even health risks like infections and diseases. It's not just about physical safety; it's also about our dignity and self-esteem. We deserve to have access to clean and private toilets, just like everyone else,” said a class 7 girl who resides in a slum in the city.

When News Trail tried to contact the Health Officer of the BBMP, there was no response. BBMP, under scrutiny from the State High Court, initiates plans for 301 new toilets in Bengaluru, with Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath announcing public access to Indira Canteen toilets.

Emphasising urgency, Girinath directs zonal commissioners to identify locations for new toilets, including 46 additional ones.

Existing 393 public toilets prompt Girinath to stress the swift construction of more in public spaces, especially for women.

Concerned about 229 inactive e-toilets, he calls for tenders and suggests installations near us stands.