Ensuring clean and accessible sanitation is a core part of Sustainable Development Goal-6. Today is World Toilet Day, initiated to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis, and reach SDG-6 by 2030. The sanitation situation in Dhaka has improved to some extent since city authorities have set up some 'Good Public Toilets' in the capital with assistance from the Bangladesh chapter of WaterAid. However, the initiative brought little respite to this city of 200 million people.
The two city corporations have built some toilets, but they are very few in number. One has to pay Tk 5-10 for using public toilets. For an insolvent person, it is difficult to pay every time he/she uses the toilet. Slum dwellers are still using unhygienic toilets. And, they often defecate in open spaces, thus contaminating water and soil.
Public toilets are of great importance with regards to health and sanitation. Toilets in government offices, hospitals, educational institutions, bus stands and railway stations among other places need to be checked regularly for cleanliness, water-supply, etc. Adequate safety measures, especially in the women toilets, and proper ventilation needs to be provided. It would be desirable not to collect fees for the use of public toilets. The cost of maintaining the public toilets needs to be borne by the government. Fewer toilets also do not meet the needs of the general public.
Abu Elias Linkon,
Banasree, Dhaka,
lightening_sparkle@yahoo.com