Lok Sabha Question No. 2100 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Behaviour Change for Open Defecation Free Country
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: G. HARI

## Government of India

## Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2100

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08-03-2018

## Behaviour Change for Open Defecation Free Country

## 2100. SHRI G. HARI:

## Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state :

(a) whether it is true that the sanitation experts laid emphasis on bringing about a sustained behavioural  change  in  the  local  communities  to  achieve  the  target  of  making  the  villages,

- towns and district Open Defecation Free (ODF) in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also true that the sanitation experts have suggested that the harmful impacts of  open  defecation  on  people's  health  and  children's  nutrition  should  be  brought  to  their notice and if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  if  so,  the  steps  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  make  the  country  Open Defecation Free?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

- (a)  Yes,  Madam. Sanitation  is  mainly  a  behavioral  issue.  It  involves  change  of  mindset  of people to stop open defecation and to adopt safe sanitation practices.
- (b)  Yes,  Madam.  There  is  a  direct  relationship  between  water,  sanitation  and  health. Consumption of unsafe drinking water, open disposal of human excreta, lack of personal and food hygiene has a direct bearing on the high infant mortality rate, malnutrition and are also the  causes  of  a  host  of  medical  problems  like  Schistosomiasis,  Dysentery,  Japanese Encephalitis,  Malaria,  Dengue  fever  and  Trachoma.    Indirect  loss  of  working  days  due  to repeated episodes of these diseases results in huge economic loss.
- (c)  The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) (SBM (G)) was launched on 2nd October, 2014 with the aim to attain Swachh Bharat by 2 nd October 2019. The focus of the scheme is on behavior change and usage of toilets. The following steps are being taken by the Ministry for effective implementation of SBM-G in the country
-  Focus  on  behavior  change:  Community  based  collective  behavior  change  has  been mentioned  as  the  preferred  approach,  although  the  States  are  free  to  choose  the approach best suited to them. Focus is also on creation of complete open defecation free (ODF) villages, rather than only on construction of individual toilets. This entails triggering the entire village into changing their behavior.
-  The  programme  provides  flexibility  to  the  States  in  the  implementation.  This  is essential, given the vast socio-cultural diversity of India, and also from the point of view of promoting innovations.
-  There is a greater emphasis on capacity building, especially in community approaches and programme management. Lack of knowledge capacities is a major challenge in scaling up the programme. Therefore, various initiatives are being taken to reach out to  all  the  stakeholders.  From  the  Government  of  India  side,  the  States  and  select organizations  (termed  Key  Resource  Centres)  are  being  trained.  These  in  turn  are, carrying out trainings at the sub-State level. The key official at the district level (DC/ DM) has been roped in the programme to provide leadership at the district level.
-  The programme is being run as a janandolan with cooperation from all sections of the society  including  the  NGOs,  Corporates,  youth  etc.  The  Panchayats  are  also  being actively involved.
-  Zila Swachh Bharat Preraks (trained young professionals) are also being engaged for providing technical support to the districts.