Sanitation

In the heart of rural India, fight for access to clean water and adequate sanitation frequently determines daily routines. These basic necessities have always been the responsibility of women, who walk great distances to obtain water and manage home cleanliness on limited funds. But today, their role is undergoing a remarkable transformation.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), which has been entrusted with the pivotal role of overseeing the development and management of India's water resources, serves as the bedrock for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, through flagship initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM).

In the race against time to ensure safe access to sanitation, reminiscent of the tenacious hummingbird who does what she can to fight the great fire – carrying droplets of water in her beak, collective efforts and private sector engagement emerge as pivotal forces.

Inadequate sanitation poses significant global risks, affecting over four billion people. Insufficient access to proper facilities leads to social, psychological, and physical threats, contributing to 6.3% of global deaths. India, with one billion residents, grapples with open defecation, affecting half the population.

WaterAid India is a non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming lives by improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. The organisation focuses on marginalised and vulnerable communities, striving to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to these essential services.

Bodh Gaya, a globally venerated small town, derives its significance as the birthplace of Buddhism. It is considered as the 'navel of the earth' (Pathavinabhi) among Buddhists.

According to the World Bank (2020), 49% percent of the urban population in India, resides in slums. The urban slum dweller’s desire for a better life has only been partially fulfilled, as people continue to fight for necessities such as clean drinking water and adequate toilets.

Across the world and in India, collective organisations run by and representing women have emerged as important platforms for demanding basic amenities like water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure and services.

Haryana becomes 'Har Ghar Jal’ state

Safe water, sanitation and hygiene are pillars that improve the quality of life and enhance the 'ease of living' of people, especially in rural areas. In this regard, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) has made significant progress in providing drinking water and safe sanitation to rural households.