Improving Safety and Access to Community Toilets for Women in Indian Slums

In low-income settings, access to safe and functional sanitation remains a challenge for women. Despite major investments in India through initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, many women continue to avoid community toilets, particularly at night, because of concerns related to safety, poor maintenance, and lack of privacy. These barriers limit progress toward public health goals and contribute to unequal access to essential services.

This project aims to answer a central question: How can community sanitation infrastructure be designed and managed to better meet women’s needs? Researchers will study whether low-cost design improvements and community monitoring can increase women’s use of toilets, improve their sense of safety and dignity, and reduce health risks associated with open defecation.

The study will test two strategies. The first is targeted physical upgrades to community toilets to improve safety, privacy, and hygiene. The second is greater community involvement through women-led monitoring groups that support oversight and maintenance. The evaluation will also measure the combined effect of both approaches. A randomized evaluation across Bihar and Tamil Nadu will assess the effectiveness and sustainability of these interventions.

By grounding the work in women’s experiences, this study will generate evidence on ways to improve sanitation access in India. The findings will inform public policy on the design and governance of community toilets with the goal of supporting more inclusive, safe, and reliable sanitation services for women.