Imagine being asked to play a treasure hunt at school with the task of finding a washroom—while you’re on your period. A nightmare, right? No place to pee, no place to change your sanitary napkin—this is the harsh reality for countless girls across India. This happened to me! We live in a world where daily usage of words like toilet is still not common. In 2024, some people are still forced to defecate in open spaces, and countless girls are forced to drop out of school just because they don’t have access to a proper toilet. When I was in school in Gwalior, my classmate Ragini faced this issue! Let's take a closer look at how lack of toilets is stealing futures from millions of girls in India.

A Girl's Dream Drowned: The High Cost of a Missing Toilet

Ragini  was excited for her first day of eighth grade; she had been looking forward to this year. She woke up with all the bubbliness, to begin a new year in school only to find she had got her first menses. While her mother reassured her that it was a normal part of growing up, Ragini  couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that settled in her stomach. 

She thought about school, and this is where her concerns arose. Her school had one toilet, shared by both boys and girls, and it was anything but clean. There was no privacy, no way to manage her period safely. She has heard girls whispering about the difficulty they faced during their periods—many stayed home, missing valuable lessons, simply because they couldn’t manage their menstrual health in such conditions.

When she shared her concerns with her parents, the only solution they could come up with was to make her sit home for days when she got menses. But staying home for 5-8 days every month, meant falling behind in school. Ragini didn’t want to give up on her dreams, but she couldn’t ignore the reality. She had no choice but to stay home, which ultimately resulted in her giving up on her education. 

The impact of this decision was profound- her education came to a standstill and her health began to suffer, as the stress of missing school and the growing sense of helplessness took a toll on her mental health. Her future, once filled with potential, now seemed uncertain. Being confined to her home during her menses also limited her physical activity, affecting her overall well-being. Eventually she lost her chance to become part of the socio-economic sectors of society, and compromised her life by giving up on her dreams. We were in the same class and yet today we are in different places, all because the school lacked something so basic— a proper toilet.

The Hidden Crisis: Menstruation and School Dropout Rates

In many parts of India, girls are forced to drop out of school or are denied admission due to something as simple yet profound as the lack of clean, accessible toilets. Nearly 23 million girls drop out of school each year once they begin menstruating. As highlighted in a previous blog, it's not just the absence of proper sanitation infrastructure, but also the lack of a safe and supportive environment for menstrual hygiene. Missing 5-8 days of school each month due to menstruation, or traveling long distances to find a toilet, often leads to girls abandoning their education altogether. This issue points to deeper problems, such as the fact that many schools, even when they do have washrooms, often lack basic sanitation facilities, or the washrooms are so dirty that students are forced to relieve themselves in open spaces.

Health Risks and Emotional Challenges Faced by Girls

The absence of washrooms in rural India goes beyond disrupting education; it also has severe health consequences. Women, forced to limit food and water intake, face dehydration, urinary tract infections, chronic constipation, and other health issues. Without private sanitation, menstruation management becomes neglected, where girls are unable to change sanitary napkins or clean reusable menstrual products. This lack of running water increases the risk of infections and poor hygiene. 

Beyond health, the lack of private toilets has emotional and societal impacts. Many girls experience shame and isolation due to the inability to manage their periods hygienically. Tasks like walking to open defecation spots with a water jug can be humiliating, further exacerbated by unhygienic facilities. 

A Decade of Progress, A Mountain to Climb: A Closer Look at India's Sanitation Crisis

Here’s a look at a few key statistics regarding India’s sanitation crisis:

• 95% of schools were equipped with separate functional toilets for girls by 2019.
• 39% of these toilets were often locked or lacked water facilities, limiting their practical use for managing menstruation​
• 77% of surveyed women and girls reported a better experience managing menstruation due to private facilities.
• Prior to the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) in 2014, around 23% of girls dropped out of school after reaching puberty due to poor sanitation facilities. Post-SBM, the dropout rate shows a reduction to approximately 15% in areas with improved facilities.

The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has led to a substantial decrease in open defecation, especially in rural areas and increased access to toilets in schools. However, though the number of toilets has increased, they still need proper water supply and maintenance. Many girls still face challenges in managing menstruation due to lack of privacy, clean water, and sanitary products.

A Path Forward: Access as a Gateway to Education and Brighter Future

The solution to ensure that no woman is forced to give up on her right to education, is clear- clean toilets and access to menstrual products. They are not optional; they are essential.  As highlighted in our blog on menstrual hygiene management, the lack of proper facilities and products continues to be a major barrier for girls, preventing them from managing menstruation with dignity. This is where schools need to invest in infrastructure that supports the menstrual health of every girl. But it's not just about building toilets—it’s about creating an environment where girls feel empowered to manage their periods safely and without shame.

The Government of India’s innovative approach like Swachh Bharat Mission, has helped to uplift the sanitation issue of India, but as individuals we need to come together to raise awareness. Saathi aims to provide not just biodegradable menstrual products but also to talk about proper menstrual hygiene practices. Our recent menstrual hygiene drive in Ahmedabad was inaugurated by the Mayor and MLA and helped spread awareness about menstrual hygiene along with breaking taboos around menstruation. 

Toilets, Menstrual Products, and Dignity: The Connection Between Sanitation and Health

The problem goes beyond just having toilets; these facilities need to be equipped with essentials like clean water, soap, and proper hygiene infrastructure. Many women would rather relieve themselves in the open than use a filthy washroom, which poses significant health risks. As a woman, I’ve personally faced situations where I avoided using public washrooms, leading to health issues like UTIs. The government has made progress in combating open defecation but there is still more that needs to be done. Our previous blog on cleanliness and sustainable menstruation emphasizes the critical connection between hygiene, sustainability, and access to clean facilities. Without proper sanitation, women cannot manage menstruation healthily or sustainably, leading to long-term health risks.

Toilets are not just infrastructure—they are a fundamental part of public health and dignity. This Toilet Day as individuals and as a society, we must work toward a future where everyone not only has access to toilets but also understands their importance and can embrace a culture of hygiene and sustainability.

Your Role in Flushing the Dropout Rate: A Call to Action

Sanitation plays a pivotal role in shaping lives, especially for women and girls. As individuals, we can advocate for:

1. Awareness- educate communities about the importance of toilet hygiene and menstrual health.
2. Action- support organizations like Saathi, which work to make menstrual care accessible and sustainable.
3. Advocacy- push for policies that ensure every school and community has functional and hygienic toilets.

Let’s work towards a world where no girl’s potential is limited by a lack of basic sanitation. Share this blog, so that together we can raise awareness about “Toilets for All” and “Period Poverty”, and help people achieve their right to toilets and menstrual products. 

References

https://swachhbharatmission.ddws.gov.in/sites/default/files/Studies-and-surveys/Safety-security-and-dignity-of-women.pdf

https://sprf.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/18.12.2020_How-Gender-Responsive-are-India_s-WASH-Policies_.pdf