Everyday woes of shared toilet users

Shared toilets are used by many people in a locality. It is acceptable for people living in a community to use the shared toilets between two or more households. The toilets are generally gender-neutral.

According to the 2014 slum census, the total number of slum households was around six lakhs, which means a staggering number of people are forced to depend on poorly maintained and overcrowded shared toilet facilities. With the limited service of these households’ toilets, users queue to access the neighbourhood toilets and many are left deprived of basic sanitation facilities.

These shared toilets are poorly designed, having little ventilation. This mostly affects women and girls, older people, and those with disabilities, since it impacts their privacy and safety. Women are also primarily responsible to maintain the cleanliness of these community toilets, which is a burden on them.