Key challenges of marginalised communities on sanitation and hygiene and recommendations to clean India

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India recognizes that equity and inclusion are key to ensuring that everyone’s sanitation needs are met and that no one is left behind. A priority concern of the SBM guidelines is providing access to different categories of people who are not able to use safe sanitation facilities. The guidelines mention the need to take safety and dignity issues into account and provide facilities that are sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities. It also recognizes the specific needs of women and adolescent girls, such as menstrual hygiene management, and allocates resources for awareness and disposal of menstrual hygiene waste. These guidelines are now in the process of being operationalized and rolled out in practice. This paper discusses key challenges and issues of marginalised communities in India regarding sanitation and hygiene and recommendations under Swachh Bharat Mission.