Toilets for Schools
Case Study: Schools without toilets
It is not uncommon in places across the globe, for schools to lack basic sanitation facilities. For girls, in particular, attending schools without toilets the lack of privacy and dignity has an enormous impact, which can lead to parents keeping them away from school. Having to relieve themselves in the open or at a shared latrine leaves them open to harassment from male peers and teachers. This situation becomes increasingly difficult as girls get older and start menstruating. If there is nowhere private with the necessary water facilities then girls will often miss classes to go home or say they are ill and stay off school throughout their period.
The necessary sanitation is denying girls equal access to education and widening the gender gap. Education is crucial in the fight against trafficking. When girls are in school they are less vulnerable to trafficking because in the immediate term they are off the streets and less accessible to traffickers and in the long term an education can provide girls with more opportunities and choice.
It’s as simple as this, more toilets can mean less trafficking!
Understanding of costs
The costs of building toilets can vary depending on the specific location and the specific work that may need to be done in each case.
However on average a block of toilets for 150 girls costs around £400.
Raising money to build toilets for schools has a lasting legacy as from one year to the next girls will be able to remain in education and build a future for themselves.
Summary of locations and problems
STOP THE TRAFFIK is looking to partner with schools in the north of the Indian state of Karnataka. This is not only a place where girls are vulnerable to being trafficked to Mumbai, Goa and Bangalore, but it is also the traditional home of the “Devadasi” practise of marrying girls to a god. In this way they are denied a normal marriage and become extremely vulnerable to being trafficked into prostitution. Although this practise is illegal, it still continues.
In this area, there is also a huge problem with lack of sanitation leading to girls not being able to attend school. One of the schools we are looking at has 120 students and not a single toilet!
The organisation
STOP THE TRAFFIK are working with trusted contacts in India to source schools most in need of support to build toilets for girls. In partnership with local organisations and contacts STOP THE TRAFFIK will provide the financial support as well as ensure that the money contributed directly to providing toilets that are available for girls.
