Young Girls In Bihar Boycotts Jewellery To Have Toilets In Their Homes

Bihar’s Young Girls Boycott Jewellery To Build Toilets

Young girls in Bihar have boycotted gold jewellery to put pressure on parents to build toilets in their homes. The girls have taken such steps to safeguard their hygiene, security and also to save themselves from the constant shame of having to go out into the open to defecate.

Richa, Jyoti, Ranju, Rabina, Khushbu and Puja Kumari decided to put pressure on their parents to construct toilets to save themselves from the embarrassment of having to defecate out in the open. They have decided to wear the gold lockets only when their parents construct toilets in their homes.

During an inspection of their school by a district administration official, the girls were asked if they did not have a toilet in their homes and 18 of them raised their hands. They further added that they don’t want to defecate outside and want toilets to be built in their homes. They removed their gold lockets and handed them over to the official and forsworn that they will not wear them unless toilets are constructed.

Anupam Singh, the district administration official, said that he was happy as well as upset for the girls who are fully aware of the necessity of a toilet but are living without a basic need like that so far.

Construction of toilets was never a part of agenda even though their parents are neither poverty stricken nor facing any financial crunch.

Where does India Stand?
India is behind many poorer countries in terms of sanitation like Afghanistan, Burundi and Congo. Sanitation, if provided in an appropriate way, will help to eliminate many issues: diseases will come down, will help in providing better educational facilities for girls as well, help improve the productivity of the people as they live healthily. Inadequate sanitation kills people, causes diseases, environmental pollution, and diminishes welfare. The total economic impacts of inadequate sanitation in India amounts to Rs 2.44 trillion a year which is equivalent to 6.4 percent of India’s GDP in 2006.

“Open defecation” – a practice of people defecating outside and not into a designated toilet is a serious concern mostly in rural areas. It is a significant health issue. Many campaigns are being led by people for construction of toilets in homes and many celebrities also urges not to defecate in the open. But despite all these campaigns and hullabaloo against open defecation, there is still a need of spreading awareness, especially in rural areas.

The Logical Indian applauds the work done by all the girls and hopes that they inspire many others to end open defecation.