Amethi: A community toilet constructed under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) has improved access to sanitation in Jiyapur village of Singhpur block in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district, providing residents, particularly women, elderly people and children, with a safer and more accessible facility.
Before the facility was established, families without individual toilets had to depend on open defecation. Women and adolescent girls often waited until early morning or late evening, raising concerns about their privacy, dignity and safety. Adverse weather conditions further compounded their difficulties.
The community sanitation complex, developed under the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), has separate toilets for men and women, a regular water supply, handwashing facilities and ramps and railings for persons with disabilities.
Sangeeta Maurya, a resident of Jiyapur, said the facility had significantly eased daily life for villagers. Women no longer need to visit unsafe, isolated locations, while elderly residents and children have convenient access to sanitation facilities close to their homes.
The district administration has linked the maintenance and operation of the complex to a women’s self-help group formed under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. A designated Swachhata Didi oversees daily cleaning, sanitation and upkeep. The arrangement also provides local livelihood opportunities and recognition for women.
Awareness activities at the village level have encouraged residents to use the facility regularly and view sanitation as a shared responsibility. According to the administration, the initiative has helped reduce waste and unhygienic conditions around public roads, fields and drains.
The project reflects the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission’s ODF Plus model, which focuses on sustaining open-defecation-free status and improving rural sanitation. It also highlights the role of community infrastructure and women’s participation in promoting dignity, public health and a cleaner rural environment.
