‘Lack of toilets: Women’s dignity compromised’

The protest for justice to Jyoti Singh Pandey was also seen as a protest to improve the situation of an “aam aurat” (common woman) which can lead to her empowerment, however, the lack of public toilets for women and the condition of the existing ones hamper the larger cause for emancipation of women at least in this regard.

In the past there have been reports that out of the total number of toilets in Delhi only 4 per cent were meant for women. There have also been commitments in the past by the authorities to build public toilets at a rate of 1 seat per 50 women and community toilets at a rate of 1 seat per 25 women, however, prominent women activists and heads feel that the situation on ground has not improved.

“Do you see toilets for women in Delhi, at least I can’t,” said Ranjana Kumari. Adding further    Kumari said: “Biologically a woman’s body has to undergo various complications for which her privacy is needed, not providing a basic need like a toilet is an insensitive act by the authorities.”

Swati Maliwal, chief Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) said that lack of toilets for women is lowering the dignity of women. Maliwal said that she has been in office for  four months and earlier, there was no work in this regard  but in the coming months DCW wants to improve the situation. Maliwal also said that the situation in slums are worse and cited that on  her recent visit to Jama Masjid’s night shelter camp she found that there were only three toilets shared jointly by men and women. She also said in the coming months she will coordinate with Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to get land for construction of toilets for women.

Speaking strongly on the issue, Bharti Chaturvedi, a director of an NGO said: “That most of the toilets built in the city were also in the view of getting advertisements and thereby in desolate places you do not see toilets for women which then also affects her safety.” Chaturvedi also critiqued the Municipal corporations of the city by saying they may be short of funds now but what were they doing for past 12-14 years.

“As Delhi still searches for answer towards respecting its women, building women toilets can definitely be a concrete step in this regard as unfortunately in our society in absence of basic resources she is till expected to be within limits,” said Kamla Bhasin.