Addressing the barriers to improve latrine use in rural India. Sherin Daniel, World Vision India

Presentation Overview: The problem Government of India's Swach Bharat Mission-Gramin Context Contextual and behavioural aspects of the problem How do we plan to overcome the problem

The Problem India is home to 1.25 billion people Highest number of people practising open defecation (OD): Nearly 525 million people OD happens most in rural India: with an estimated at 56 per cent practicing OD India has 48 million children stunted - about 38.7 per cent. (OD has a strong correlation with stunting.)

OD in India

Government of India's Swach Bharat Mission-Gramin Toilets Built (since 2nd Oct 2014) 44.94 million % increase in HHs with Toilet 30.47% (in 2017-18) 10.24 million No. of ODF Districts 211 No. of ODF Villages 2,55,640

Context 2015 programme baseline (WV India): Access to latrines in 64 rural area programmes is 23 per cent 2016: WV India undertook community led-total sanitation (CLTS) across 51 area programmes in 17 states, covering 963 villages. 8887 new toilets were built by households post CLTS. Conducted formative research on barriers to latrine use which include in-depth interviews, focus groups, and latrine observations. Observations were made with maximum variations from six geographical locations. (Villages with toilet coverage, villages with households of varying caste and wealth status.)

Contextual and behavioural aspects of the problem. Despite CLTS and incentives on latrine construction, open defecation still exists. Strong habit of OD Limited or mistimed cues to improve latrine use Behavioural procrastination Barriers or Inconveniences. e.g. Design No immediate reward Season and limited resource

Contextual and behavioural aspects of the problem. Socialisation during open defecation(especially men) Cultural rituals surrounding open defecation Behavioural barriers of ambiguity around pit emptying options Strong aversion to self-emptying Overestimation of pit filling rates Strong belief that a latrine is a limited resource Used mostly by younger women, with others referring latrine to be used at night, in cases of ill health or emergency

Faulty design and construction

How do we increase or improve utilization of available latrine facilities? Breaking the existing habit of open defecation. Minimizing inconveniences and barriers (Improving latrine design) Creating appropriate and timed cues Creating non-monetary rewards Engage local religious/traditional leaders Add-ons or modifications to CLTS