Date/Time
Date(s) - 19/11/2015
0 h 00 min
Location
Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School
Categories
Today to bring about an awareness on the World Toilet Day as provision of Toilets are an essential component of health, Yuvsatta, Indian Business School & State Cell NSS, Chandigarh Administration & Times of India newspaper jointly organized a ‘Toilet Run’, in which over 500 NSS Volunteers of New Public School, Sector 18, Government High School, Colony No. 4, Government Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 20D, Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Timber Market, Sector 26, along with volunteers of Yuvsatta & Indian Business School participated.
Prof. Devi Sirohi, Chairperson, Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights along with women & girls of Colony No. 4, flagged-off the initiative from Government High School, Colony No. 4 and passing through Industrial Area, Transport area and Grain Market the ‘Toilet Run’ ended at Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Timber Market, Sector 26, Chandigarh.
Addressing the gathering Prof. Sirohi shared that “provision of Toilets are an essential component of health. Millions of people unfortunately, with large number of women and children in India, today do not have access to this basic necessity. Non – availability of this facility would have an important effect on the dignity and security of women, environment as well as social and economic development of our country. Chandigarh should take a lead to ensure that we fulfill our obligation towards all section of society in providing essential facilities”.
DNV Kumara Guru, Director, External Relations & Human Resource, Indian School of Business added that “World Toilet Day was established by World Toilet Organization in 2001 to draw attention to global sanitation issues. Every year World Toilet Day is observed on November 19 and ISB is proud to partner with Yuvsatta to raise awareness on the need for proper sanitation through this Run. This is a small but significant step in building awareness and enabling action towards a Swachh Bharat.” He also added that “Equality, Dignity and the Link Between Gender-Based Violence and Sanitation” is the theme for this year’s World Toilet Day, which seeks to put a spotlight on the threat of sexual violence that women and girls face due to the loss of privacy as well as the inequalities that are present in usability.”
Sharing his concerns Pramod Sharma, Coordinator, Yuvsatta said they have specially chosen the oldest slum settlement in the city of Colony No. 4 as in this slum area with a population of over 40,000 people only 60 toilet seats are available. And molestation, rape, murder of girls & women are also happening, because of lack of toilets, as people, especially girls & women have to go in the jungle behind this slum area. And if basic dignity and rights of women and girls can’t be protected in modern cities like Chandigarh, where else in India we can expect the same.