Will they get their right?
Girls from Lajpat Nagar are fighting for their right to clean and safe sanitation. We all read and debate a lot about issues relating to corruption, rising prices and unemployment. But do not realize that for few, having safe sanitation is a bigger problem than any other. Our girls tell that 700 houses in their settlement use 20 toilets. These toilets are cleaned once during the course of the day. The doors are broken, there's no electricity, water supply is in shortage, boys peep in from their roofs, they make videos and throw alcohol bottles. It takes one to wait for 15-30 minutes to use the toilet. The toilets shut by 10 at night, and if one has to go after that, the only option is to go to jungle or to do it in a bucket and throw it the next morning. To avoid this, girls drink little water, change sanitary napkins/cloth once during the day. Women who work as domestic helps prefer using toilets where they work. Every second woman here has problems arising out of poor hygiene practices. Girls want to bring forward this problem in front of everybody with the help of the medium of camera through the project "Apna Haq", meaning "Our Right".
They aleady made a short video with the help of their trainers on the situations. You can watch this short video below:
Apna haq from KaliShakti on Vimeo.
Now, they are working to make a longer film, which will be screened in their community, in front of their parents, neighbors as well those who are responsible for maintaining these toilets. 24 girls, all between the age of 12 to 18, have been learning to use camera, computer and editing software since last 3 months. These days, they are busy out there, shooting for their film.
The problems faced by every settlement will be shown with the help of pictures and film to the relevant stakeholders by the girls, and subsequently they will demand for safe and clean sanitation. Lets see how the authorities responsible for the maintenance of these toilets respond to this simple question from these brave girls. Will we get our right?
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Asha is an energetic young woman who oversees all aspects of the efficient running of FAT's Tech Center.
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