Rural Sanitation Programmes In India
Sanitation in India has been a major challenge for the country for decades. While there have been efforts to improve sanitation across the country, rural areas have been particularly difficult to reach due to a lack of infrastructure and resources. In recent years, however, there have been several rural sanitation programmes in India that aim to address this issue and improve the lives of people living in these areas.
One of the key organisations leading the charge in rural sanitation is the India Sanitation Coalition (ISC). The ISC is a non-profit organisation that brings together various stakeholders from government, non-governmental organisations, academia, and the private sector to collaborate on improving sanitation in India. The organisation has a particular focus on rural sanitation and has been instrumental in several initiatives that have improved access to sanitation facilities for rural communities.
One of the key programmes that the ISC has been involved in is the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission). Launched by the Indian government in 2014, the mission aims to make India open-defecation free (ODF) by 2024. The mission has several components, including constructing toilets, promoting behavioural change around sanitation, and ensuring the sustainable management of solid and liquid waste. The ISC has been a key partner in the mission, working closely with the government to ensure that rural communities are reached and that the infrastructure is in place to support improved sanitation.
Another key initiative that the ISC has been involved in is the WASH in Schools programme. This programme aims to improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools across India. The programme is particularly important in rural areas, where many schools lack basic sanitation facilities. The ISC has partnered with several NGOs to implement the programme, and the results have been impressive. Schools that have implemented the programme have seen improvements in attendance rates, particularly for girls, who are often unable to attend school due to a lack of appropriate sanitation facilities.
The ISC has also been involved in several research initiatives aimed at understanding the challenges faced by rural communities when it comes to sanitation. One such initiative is the Sanitation Value Chain Research project, which aims to identify the key drivers of behaviour change around sanitation in rural communities. The project has involved extensive research in several states across India, and the findings will be used to inform policy and programme design around sanitation.
Despite these efforts, there is still much work to be done when it comes to improving sanitation in rural areas in India. According to a report by the National Sample Survey Office, only 47% of rural households in India had access to toilets in 2018. This highlights the urgent need for continued investment and innovation in rural sanitation programmes.
The India Sanitation Coalition is a key partner in these efforts, working closely with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that rural communities are reached and that the infrastructure is in place to support improved sanitation. While there is still much work to be done, the progress made in recent years is encouraging and provides hope for a future where all Indians have access to safe and dignified sanitation facilities.
