With an aim to understand the safety issues faced by girls while visiting a washroom, the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) is conducting a survey in the Rangpuri Pahari area where a nine-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a rag picker when she had gone to a portable public toilet. The incident then led to an outrage among the locals demanding action against the accused.
"The shocking incident forced us to conduct such a survey for the safety of the girls. This is really sad that a girl feels unsafe while using a toilet. This is a basic facility and no one should have any hesitation while using it," said Rakesh Sengar from BBA.
On August 28, a nine-year-old girl was sexually assaulted when she had gone to relieve herself at a portable toilet. The incident also highlighted the lack of safety at public toilet's as the guard's deployed leave early after the day is over. According to the women residing in the area, the toilets neither have a lock or water and is mostly occupied by drug-users. Women usually resort to relieving themselves outside homes.
"We have formed five teams who are visiting and talking to the women and girls in the area. The survey is divided into parts and the questions have been framed accordingly. It will be completed in two weeks," Sengar added. Sources said that more than 25 portable toilets were installed by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) a few months ago but they have become a hub for drug addicts.
Recently, the Delhi High Court sought response of the city government and South Delhi municipal body on a PIL claiming lack of toilet facilities in a slum near the Yamuna despite the much publicised Swachh Bharat campaign on cleanliness.
