Household Access to Toilets
Access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities have far-reaching impacts on sustaining a safe and healthy livelihood. Universal and equitable access to drinking water and adequate, non-discriminatory sanitation facilities that facilitate an end to open defecation by 2030 is a key target within the SDGs. There have been concerted efforts by the national government in the recent years to achieve these targets through a renewed focus to make India open defecation free (ODF), to convert unsanitary toilets, and also to nudge a wave of positive behavioral change. However, these measures are yet to be truly translated on ground for vulnerable communities. Improper construction of toilets or inadequate counselling for behavioural change in terms of defecation practices results in their level of access remaining gravely below national averages, furthering their vulnerability to diseases, infections, and poor health.
Household Access to Toilets in the Sustainable Development Goals
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6. Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in. There is sufficient fresh water on the planet to achieve this. But due to bad economics or poor infrastructure, every year millions of people, most of them children, die from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene.
Water scarcity, poor water quality and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities for poor families across the world. Drought afflicts some of the world’s poorest countries, worsening hunger and malnutrition.
By 2050, at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortages of fresh water.
Related Household Access to Toilets Targets
By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management