Humans were designed to squat, not sit.
An Indian woman who forced her husband to build a toilet in their home has been presented with a cheque for $10,000 (£6,000) by a campaign group.
Anita Narre left husband Shivram’s home in the state of Madhya Pradesh two days after their marriage in May last year.
She returned eight days later after Shivram, a casual labourer, built one with his savings and neighbours’ help.
Last week the Indian census revealed that more Indians own mobile phones than have toilets in their homes.
The reward was given to Anita by Sulabh International, a non-governmental organisation that promotes sanitation, for her “bold decision” to stand up for her dignity.
The cheque was presented to Anita by Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh.
Her stand has led to more toilets being built in her village of Ratanpur, says the Hindu newspaper.
Out of 157 houses in the village, 100 have built toilets since her protest.
Anita gave credit to her husband because “he accepted my demand.”
The President of India appreciated her bold gesture of refusing to stay at her in-laws house after her marriage, due to lack of a proper latrine. The President said that her action will definitely initiate a strong movement in rural areas on this issue. The President said that the decision to leave her in-laws house after marriage required a lot of courage.
Eco-toilets help save hippos and birds in Kenya
It may appear unintuitive that special toilets could benefit hippos and other wetland species, but the Center for Rural Empowerment and the Environment (CREE) has proven the unique benefits of new toilets in the Dunga Wetlands on Lake Victoria’s Kenyan side. By building ecologically-sanitary (eco-san) toilets, CREE has managed to alleviate some of the conflict that has cropped up between hippos and humans for space.
Read more:http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0104-hance_ecosan_cree.html#ixzz1oynaOoDq
World Bank Finds that India loses 6.4% of GDP due to lack of adequate sanitation.
Quoting from the article linked above:
The estimated statistics quoted by the Planning Commission clearly stated that even though 49 percent of the country’s urban population is provided with an access to sanitary excreta disposal facility, only 28 percent have sewerage system and 21 percent only low cost sanitary latrine facility. Out of the 60 percent generated solid waste collected and disposed of, only 50 percent of it is disposed sanitarily.
