I was slightly jealous when I read
about this Kerela initiative – 'e-toilets' at government medical
colleges. These toilets are called Eve's Own for they will reportedly
have napkin-vending machines, incinerators, automatic sensor taps,
fans and lights that auto-start when you step in. Plans include
sensitive doors that open only if the water tank has enough water.
Of course, it is a pity that these are
restricted to medical colleges. There is no reason why all public
toilets should not be woman-friendly. Even if they're coin-operated,
it would be a huge improvement from current washrooms where coins are
no guarantee against dry taps, broken door latches, flooded floors,
and worse.
Curiously enough, I have often heard it
said that “women's toilets are dirtier”. Usually it is women who
say this. Having not been in a men's toilet, I cannot compare but I
have been to offices and restaurants that have no separate male and
female toilets. I found there was very little difference in levels of
cleanliness. This must mean that women are either not that much
dirtier, or that they become more careful about toilet habits if they
know that men will be witness to these habits. Or, men are cleaning
up after women (hey, the world is full of wonders!)
Back in college, I recall discussions
where girls would swap tales of toilet adventure. I myself recalled
how my mother always carried a bedsheet when we went on outdoor
picnics. Others mentioned moms who usher kids to the edge of railway
platforms, urging them to just 'go'. One girl mentioned that she had
witnessed saree-clad women relieving themselves whilst standing
upright. This had quite an impact on our youthful imaginations –
the possibility of doing such a thing had not struck us before, but
in an emergency... Of course! One can and one should!
Over the years, I had my share of fury
and frustration. As a young reporter who was always on the move, this
was anxiety number one – how far was the nearest loo? I remember
times when I was out on assignment in residential colonies, and there
was not one public toilet in the area. I waited hours before an
option presented itself, then I'd be lucky if the door was not
locked. If there was running water, I felt positively blessed.
All Indian women are familiar with this
sort of panic, regardless of whether they are 'working' women or not.
For one, there is no guarantee that there is a toilet even in the
house. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 3), only
26 percent of rural India had access to sanitation. A Unicef report
estimates that 54 percent of India does not have access to clean,
safe toilets. Hundreds of millions live in mortal terror of – at
worst – an attack by human or animal or insect, and – at least –
the fear of infections. Things are not much better in cities where
there are no semi-discreet woods or rocks or fields, so you could
just go under the open sky.
Life is hard enough without having to
worry about how much water you can afford to drink before you step
outdoors. Many women endorse glassy air-conditioned malls just for
their promise of usable toilets.
First published here
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