FANSA - freshwater action network southasia

From Advocating to Securing Dignity”- A Journey of Bhumiya, Transwoman in Nepal

Bhumiya’s journey to becoming Hetauda City Nepal's first transwoman sanitation worker is a testament to her resilience and determination to overcome societal obstacles. Originally from Saptari district, and from the Muslim community, Bhumiya faced family rejection and financial hardship, initially having to rely on sex work for survival.

Community Advocates for Improved Public Toilets in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy, a cultural and historical gem in Sri Lanka's Central Province, is renowned for its rich heritage, and tourism place. Despite Kandy's status as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city struggled with poorly maintained public toilets managed by private vendors, causing difficulties for women, children, and the people with disability.

Women advocates for better WASH facilities in Khudikhola, Pokhara, Nepal

In Khudikhola-32, Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City, the community from informal settlements faced severe sanitation challenges. Despite believing their facilities were safe, residents discovered their water sources were at high risk of contamination due to the proximity of water pipelines to open drainage systems and improperly sealed septic tanks. During the rainy season, the situation worsened as overflowing toilets caused septic waste to mix with drainage water, further contaminating the area.

WASH Network formed in Pakistan

The city of Mardan, with a population of 784,053 and a growth rate of 3.01%, presents a blend of both organized and unorganized housing arrangements, accompanied by an unstructured sanitation system. Despite the existence of responsible departments, there is a noticeable absence of a structured and comprehensive sanitation service provider in Mardan, Pakistan. This challenge emphasize the need for a fundamental reconsideration of the approach and investment priorities in sanitation by both governments and the development partners.

Armina Akhter, Community Leader stood by the Community, Bangladesh

Sreemangal Municipality has constructed a public toilet near the railway station. Unfortunately, despite its completion, the toilet remained unused for nearly two years due to some official issues. Armina Akhter, a 50-year-old Community Leader and member of the Community-led Monitoring team, along with her team, visited the facility to assess its status. After sharing their findings with the municipality authorities, the toilet was eventually opened to the public.

Interventions required to improve WASH status in temporary makeshifts camps in Punakha

Lunana and Laya villages lies in the extreme northwest of the country bordering with Tibet and is located at an altitude of above 3400m above sea level. Due to the extreme cold climate during winter, these two communities migrate down to lower altitude valley of Punakha where it is much warmer. They make temporary makeshift camps in open space in the harvested paddy fields and allow free grazing of the horses and mules. In about 32 makeshift camps spread over few villages in Punakha, the approximate population would be around 230 people with an age range of few months old to an elderly of 75 years.

Valuing toilet through an event - Our Toilets, Our Concern

The communities around Muchivolu Zilla Parishad High School of Srikalahasti mandal depend on Livestock rearing and farming for their sustenance. The school and the villages are located in a low rain fall region, area always shortage of water due to low rain fall, it gets worsened by few deep bore wells dug by the landlords which has affected the water tables. Most of the canals and ponds are dried up due to commercial mono cropping culture, while the laborer does not own any land or permanent structures.

Toilet constructed but worry still remains!

Ms. Sahadevamma is a daily waged worker. She didn’t have toilet in her home. After she received the subsidy worth IRs 15000.00, despite of the enough space in her premises, she constructed a toilet in her home.

The collective efforts of the people turn their village healthy

Paschim Manoharpur is a remote and poor village located at Manoharpur union of Monirampur upazila under Jessore district of Bangladesh. The village is also a house of more than 115 families comprising 444 people, of whose 244 male and 200 female. The livelihoods of the villagers predominantly revolve around daily wages as some are day-labors and others are van pullers.

Settlements seeking WASH service improvements

The settlements of 45 families who have been working in the tea plantation area known as Homadola Estate located in Udugama, a small town in Galle, Sri Lanka are living in hill area since the generations. Homadola Estate is named after the Homadola stream that flows from the bottom of the hill.

SaTo Technology approriate for hygienic latrine in cold region

Lunana and Laya villages lies in the extreme northwest of the country boardering with tibet and is located at an altitude of above 3400m above sea level. They do not have access to save drinking water, no proper toilet facilities, no bathing and washing services.

Need to address the sanitation workers’ need

Sooraj Kumar, aged 23, lives with his family of 8 members in Ramnagar, Unnao in India. He has been working as a sanitation worker in private agency and his father is working under the contractor. With both of their income, the family is managing to live their life.

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