Women must have access to clean toilets at stations

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Women are willing to pay more for clean toilet facilities at city stations and better train services and amenities, according to a survey conducted by St Xavier's College students, the findings of which was presented to the railways recently.

There is a paucity of safe and hygienic public urinals in Mumbai. This campaign has been demanding adequate public toilets for women.

It is obvious that railways must improve and upgrade existing washroom facilities. Where there are no facilities at all, it is high time we built them. The overwhelming response to this survey is just one indicator of how much women across the spectrum need usable washrooms.

While the survey was about railways in particular, all public facilities need to re-look at the number of toilets for women and ensure that they are safe and hygienic.

Also Read: Mumbai: Will happily pay more for clean loos at stations, say women commuters

Women are petrified of long road journeys because of inadequate or unusable toilets along the way.

Before we talk of upgrading utilities or ‘Mumbai Banega Shanghai or Singapore', the first priority should be hygiene and toilet availability. It is no use touting our progress if we do not have something as rudimentary as toilets in place.

Most of the time, women in the workforce, who are out in the field, have to ensure there is a hotel in the vicinity so that they can use the toilet. Many times, they do not use the toilet at all, waiting till they reach the office or home. This is extremely unhealthy and may lead to serious health complications.

Let us address this the issue with a strong will and a determination to reverse the current scenario. This is an extremely important factor as it has to do with basic human dignity and mental peace. Treat it with the urgency and gravity it deserves.