India's sanitation crisis restricts women's freedom

A lack of safe and clean public toilets across India is restricting the movement and freedom of women [1, 2].

This sanitation crisis creates a systemic barrier to gender equality by forcing women to modify their basic biological needs to navigate public spaces. The shortage disproportionately impacts low-income and working women who rely on public infrastructure for their daily commutes and employment [1, 2].

Inadequate infrastructure and poor hygiene standards have led to a widespread distrust of public facilities ^[2]. Because many available toilets are perceived as unsafe or unsanitary, women often avoid using them entirely. This avoidance leads to a dangerous practice where women deliberately limit their water intake throughout the day to avoid the need for a restroom [1, 2].

Such restrictions on hydration and bladder control pose significant health risks. The lack of accessible facilities also creates safety concerns, as women may be forced to seek secluded areas, or travel long distances to find a secure location [1, 2].

The crisis is rooted in a broader sanitation failure characterized by insufficient maintenance and a lack of gender-sensitive urban planning [1, 2]. While sanitation initiatives have been implemented nationwide, the gap between the number of toilets built and the number of usable, safe facilities remains a critical issue for those in low-income neighborhoods [1, 2].

Experts said that the current state of public sanitation does more than create a health hazard; it actively limits where women can go and how long they can stay in public or professional environments [1, 2].