The Role of NGOs in Bridging the Sanitation Gap in India

Imagine a bustling Indian city, vibrant yet plagued by an unspoken problem. In its underprivileged areas, the sanitation gap yawns wide, threatening the health and well-being of thousands of families. This “gap" refers to the stark disparity between those with access to safe sanitation facilities and those left to contend with inadequate toilets and contaminated water. The consequences are dire – diarrhoeal diseases, stunted growth in children, and a constant fear of illness.

It is important to note here that while the Swachh Bharat Mission has been a resounding success in creating toilets and sanitation infrastructure, gaps exist in getting people to use this infrastructure correctly and safely. If these toilets aren’t maintained correctly, they degrade, returning the communities that rely on them back in the same place they were before.

The lack of sanitation access in underprivileged areas is mainly due to factors such as poverty, lack of awareness, social norms, caste discrimination, and inadequate (or poorly maintained) infrastructure. These factors create barriers for communities to access safe and hygienic toilets, water supply, and waste management systems. As a result, poor sanitation increases the risk of diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, and worm infections. Poor sanitation also affects education, gender equality, dignity, and economic productivity.

Amidst this grim reality, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) emerge as beacons of hope. Driven by a commitment to social justice and public health, they bridge the sanitation gap, bringing the promise of a cleaner, healthier future to underprivileged communities.

How NGOs are bridging the sanitation gap

NGOs are organisations that operate independently from the government and are often driven by a social or environmental mission. NGOs focused on sanitation in India complement the efforts of the government and other stakeholders by working at various levels of the community, and by trialling different approaches with an eye towards improving sanitation. They are often involved in advocacy for policy changes, and raising awareness on various aspects of sanitation. Several NGOs specialise in collaborations: creating strategic partnerships with other NGOs, government agencies, private sector, media, and academia to create synergies.

Many NGOs have the ability to provide technical assistance and financial support for building and maintaining sanitation facilities. They often help promote innovative technologies and practices that are affordable, sustainable, and culturally appropriate. They take the lead in implementing community-led total sanitation (CLTS) programs that encourage much needed behavioural change and local ownership of sanitation solutions. Still other NGOs work at grassroots levels, empowering marginalised groups (including women, children, gender diverse people and lower castes) to participate in decision-making and access sanitation services that affect them.