Imposing Healthy Sanitation Practices to Maintain the Country’s Dignity!

Kavita Malik
2 min readMar 20, 2019

Poor sanitation has been a problem rural India grapples with for years. People in rural India still depend on open spaces such as fields, roadsides, behind the bushes to relieve themselves. Before Swachh Bharat Abhiyan toilet was still a luxury for some, while others opposed building toilets or even using them for reasons that revolve around the Indian culture and tradition. As a result, there is a dramatic rise in illness and deaths. Poor health and sanitation practices are till now seen as the leading cause of death of young children. Those below the age of 5 years have a very narrow chance to make it to the living side. It can also be seen as the cause of children being severely malnourished.

Not only it is responsible for the death of little children, but the question is also on safety. Multiple cases have been reported where young women have been raped and murdered when they were relieving themselves in the dark.

India is looked upon as one of the biggest economies around the globe; it is known for its educational dominance in every part of the world. Having such a considerable reputation, it faces embarrassment when we talk about the hygiene quotient of the country. Health and sanitation in India have been a topic for mockery worldwide as the country struggles with providing basic sanitation facilities and changing the mindset of people both in Rural and Urban India.

What should be done to tackle this problem?

Besides several government initiatives, the key focus should be on educating the citizens about the benefits of sanitation for the environment and their own safety. Proper sewage dumping and processing should be prioritized to provide people with safe drinking water. The use of public toilets should be encouraged, and people in rural India should be taught about the importance of building a toilet at home. Educating will bring about behavioral changes that will take the country steps ahead in improving the conditions.

India Sanitation Coalition’s work in bringing a change and improving the state of health and sanitation problems in rural areas is commendable. Their projects are aimed at bringing the country out of sanitation depression which attracts plenty of funders and implementers. Get in touch with them today and find out how you can collaborate or volunteer.

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