We need more safe and clean public toilets, demand Bengaluru women

Bengaluru

Bengaluru has already experienced how harsh this summer could become. The intense heat forces people to stay constantly hydrated. However, for women, the challenge is far greater due to the lack of accessible and clean public toilets across the city. Multiple reports have highlighted the poor condition of public toilets in Bengaluru. A 2023 report by Janaagraha drew attention to issues such as lack of cleanliness, non-functional flushes and the shortage of toilet seats for both men and women, while stressing that women require significantly more facilities. The survey was conducted across four wards in Bengaluru. Jayani Sivaraj, who recently participated in a city beautification initiative, called on authorities to improve public toilet infrastructure.

“Recently, we visited a playground as part of a small initiative to paint and improve it. However, since we were there from morning till evening, it was difficult because there were no washrooms nearby for women. It was also challenging to stay hydrated and comfortable throughout the day. We would appreciate having better basic facilities and support for future activities like this,” she said. The lack of proper washrooms also disproportionately affects poorer women, especially those living in squatter settlements and migrant communities where well-maintained public toilets are absent.

Activist Kathyayini Chamaraj said, “Their tin sheds or shacks do not have enough space around them even to build community toilets. Migrants coming to the city cannot afford the prevailing rental rates to live with dignity and safety. "This is the result of the government not prioritising subsidised social rental housing with built-in toilets for the urban poor in every layout they plan.” She added that many women street vendors also struggle due to the absence of clean public toilets near vending zones.

A recent audit conducted by the Bharat NavaNirmana Party of public toilets across 21 wards in the city found that 71 per cent of women’s toilets were unsafe, only 15 per cent had female caretakers and CCTV coverage existed in just 7 per cent of the facilities. Nirmala M., president of the city’s Pourakarmika Sangha, said, “There is definitely a lack of public toilets in the city. We pourakarmikas often have to pay to use public toilets wherever we are working. They are not free. The quality of the toilets is also poor.

Some do not have water and many are dirty. So it is a major problem.” The issue becomes even more difficult during menstruation, said mural artist Nidhi Umesh, who frequently spends long hours outdoors for painting projects. “I think it’s even more difficult during menstruation because we need to use a washroom every few hours and we need clean washrooms around. It’s stressful because you are constantly thinking about where the next clean washroom is. We have to have more good public toilets,” she said.