- The recent rape of two teenage girls in Badaun, UP, who went to the open to relieve themselves has brought to the fore the long existing menace of lack of toilets in India.
- Lack of toilets is not only a serious health hazard, but it also poses a threat to the safety of women and is one of the main reasons for malnutrition in India. Studies indicate that it has an effect on the physical height of children.
- More than half of India’s population defecate in the open, and not a single state, including Delhi, is free of Open Defacation (OD).
- Some estimate that more than 70% of the population have no proper access to safe and clean toilets. UP, Bihar, MP and AP are the worst hit states.
- OD in cities presents more threat because of greater population density and lack of safe spaces.
- According to 2012 census,
- 12% of urban households resort to OD
- 8% use shared toilets.
- Read at:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/lack-of-toilets-proves-a-serious-threat-to-womens-safety/article6071114.ece
Exams Perspective:
- Open Defacation (OD)
- Santitation
- Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC)
- Nirmal Gram Yojana
- Safety of Women