Public sanitation in Delhi violates Fundamental Right of women

  • 07/12/2006

  • Pioneer (New Delhi)

Delhi may soon acquire a distinction of having gender-biased toilet system. According to a report submitted by a committee constituted by the Delhi High Court there are 3,192 urinals in Delhi and out of these only 132 (4 %), are for women. The High Court had constituted this committee to look into the public sanitary conditions of the city, responding to a public interest litigation filed against Government of India. The report gives a detailed analysis of the number of toilets for women in Delhi. Failure the MCD to provide adequate number of well-maintained urinals for women in every zone is a violation of fundamental and human right of the women, the report says. It also says that these rights are important as they are guaranteed to them under Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution. The statistic reveals no women toilet in Narela, Najafgarh, Rohini, Civil Line, West , Karol Bagh MCD zones. South zone topped the list with 49 toilets. The report also seeks directions to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi from the appropriate authority to construct adequate number of 'well-equipped' and 'well-maintained' urinals in every zone for women.