Open Defecation free Bangladesh

Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in eliminating the practice of open defecation.

A report from UNICEF and the WHO called Bangladesh, “open defecation free." However, the elimination of open-air defecation was not an easy feat. Previously, people from both urban and rural areas, floating people and low-income families were seen practicing defecation in the open. They chose to defecate in fields or bushes and open bodies of water such as rivers or lakes. In cities, people living in the streets were more likely to use railway tracks or secluded areas to defecate. Defecation in open water bodies cause human excreta to contaminate the water and spread diseases into water supplies, polluting the water sources.

Due to raw sewage exposure, health risks from the spread of viruses, bacteria, and parasites were prevalent in children. This occurred due to lack of basic sanitation facilities, mostly in rural areas which lagged behind in terms of having access to sanitation services. The situation was increasingly difficult for people living in cities where there were inadequate or poorly maintained public toilets.

To eliminate open air defecation, government and volunteering services played a crucial role in raising awareness to bring change in public attitude and habits. However, challenges still remain in achieving hundred percent sanitation coverage in the country.

People living in remote and hard-to-reach areas will be especially difficult to bring under sanitation facilities. The floating urban population is a serious concern as well.