The intention was to set up a city-wide faecal sludge management system. The pit emptiers would be trained and encouraged to do this as a business. When approached, the Mayor instructed the Ward Councilors to check if septic tanks were being built. It was found that if the mayor and councilors can be convinced then it is easier to do the work. The project tried to create awareness among masons,
contractors and even religious leaders. Women from the community would supervise the cleaning of the septic tanks. Local NGOs were involved in educating local children through schools. It was found that it is easier to make parents aware by going through the children to reach messages about health and
hygiene.
Two cooperatives set established for the pit emptiers, one Muslim and one with Harijans. It was found that the Muslims set up the cooperatives more easily and were able to run it as a business. Practical Action (PA) encouraged women to be part of the Cooperative committees. The Muslim committee has managed to collect savings of 20 lakhs in one year which they are using to give household loans. They are also planning to buy a vacutex machine with their savings. In the Harijan group the women are planning to use their savings to buy pigs. One of the constraints faced was that the first plant was near a minister’s house who objected. Then PA was able to lease 3 acres of land in a different location. The main lesson learned was the importance of involving all members of the community from Mayor, councilors and local leaders. The project therefore instituted monthly coordination meetings. UgIIP is now taking the model to four municipalities and PA to eight more. This is only being done in category A municipalities.
For further information, contact:
Makfie Farah, Specialist-Advocacy, Practical Action Email: [email protected]
Case 37: Construction of first Women and Disabled friendly Public Toilet in Dhaka City-Role of Local Government, Dhaka
Dhaka the capital has about 15 million people. In addition every day around 5 million people come here to work and most of them return home at the end of the day. Apart from that a huge number of floating people are living at bus terminals, launch terminals, market places and footpaths to earn their
71 | P a g e livelihoods. There are 69 public toilets where 47 are functional for those people along with the people who are living as floating. It may be mentioned that 25 of 47 toilets are under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). But, unfortunately, these are not women and disabled friendly due to weak management of lease system and limitations of construction. Moreover, water supply is sometimes inadequate. Such situation increases the environmental health risks of the city. Considering all these problems, DSK and Water Aid Bangladesh have been advocating with Dhaka North City Corporation for long time for construction/reconstruction of public toilets as well as for proper management and maintenance. An MoU was signed between Water Aid Bangladesh and Dhaka North City Corporation on 11 June, 2013. Based on this MoU, DNCC has given their consent to Water Aid Bangladesh to construct public Toilets (one is in the Gabtali Bus terminal Waiting room and other two are beside Prantic Super Market) by its partner organization DSK.
Entrance and the condition of the waiting room inside the bus terminal
The main objective of this project is to provide public facility and prevent environmental health hazards through improved and proper management of public toilets considering the demand of fast increasing population of Dhaka city. With this objective the construction of a public toilet with modern facilities started on 4 November 2013 in the waiting room of Gabtali Bus Terminal. Initially, a management committee of nine members and a construction committee of four members was formed with representatives from DNCC, Water Aid, Bus owners association, truck owners association, Labour federation and DSK.
Present Entrance of the Public Toilet Urinal system of the Public Toilet
72 | P a g e Present normal chamber, High Commode chamber and Hand washing station
All work on the public toilet construction was done through these committees. In this public toilet there are three chambers, four urinals, one bathing place and two hand-washing basins for men and one chamber for disabled men. For women there are three chambers (one including bathing facilities), two hand-washing basins and one chamber for disable women. It can be noted that entrances of the toilet are separate for men and women. In addition to those facilities, luggage locker systems are available for toilet users. It is worth mentioning that a submersible pump is installed in the toilet supported by DWASA. Therefore, a safe drinking water station for the travelers and running water facilities in the toilet are ensured through this pump. There are separate sitting arrangements for the two caretakers of the toilets. Electricity facilities are available and in case of power failure solar panel systems are there to facilitate the electricity failure solutions.
In order to ensuring cleanness nine cleaners are always engaged and a professional cleaning service provider will be responsible for this activities. Janata Bank will pay this cost for three years from their CSR activities. Proper sanitation system in Dhaka city especially in Gabtali Bus terminal area has been ensured by building this women and disabled friendly toilet with modern facilities. It’s encouraging to know that DNCC has acknowledged this toilet as a Model. This toilet has increased the capability of Local Government as well as accountability of authorities. It shows that a policy can be changed through proper advocacy and building strong relationship with Local Government and this public Toilet at Gabtali Bus Terminal is the result.
For further information, contact:
Fatema Akter, Secretary, NDBUS Email: [email protected]
Sanjida Jahan Ashrafi, Senior Advocay Officer, DSK Email: [email protected]
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