Based on slum profiles conducted by Mahila Milan and Federation, more than 50% of the total population remains unserved with toilets. Therefore a proposal was submitted to construct a new toilet in Saint Mary Church (Ahmednagar), Anna Bhau Sathe, Wadala (Nasik) and Numani Nagar (Malegaon) along with repairs of two existing toilet blocks in Anna Bhau Sathe (Ahmednagar) and Amprapali (Nasik) and grant funds to make this happen were finalized. Then the federations informed us about recent events in their city ….
In Ahmednagar: the original plan was to construct a new toilet at Saint Mary and repair the toilet in Anna Bhau Sathe. Over the last couple of months, the Mahila Milan leaders at Ahmednagar had been in conversation with the local Municipal representative and municipal authorities. These discussions have borne fruit and the Municipality has begun the construction of toilets at Saint Mary Church!
In Nasik: the original plan was to construct a new toilet at Anna Bhau Sathe, Wadala and repairing
Amrapali toilet. Because Anna Bhau Sathe slum is on a private land, a toilet cannot be constructed on it.
In Malegaon: the original plan was to construct a new toilet in Numani Nagar, however the new elected local municipal representatives, have taken up the work of meeting the toilet needs in Numani Nagar and other settlements.
Clearly we see this as a feature of communities feeling empowered to have discussions once they have some funds in their pockets. It triggers a response from politicians and administration who then want to supply them with what they are entitled to so.
Since assured grant exist for these cities, federation members now suggest the following:
Nasik - Repairs of existing toilets in Amrapali slums
Ahmednagar - Repairs of existing toilets and constructing new toilets at Anna Bhau Sathe slum and Munjuba Chowk
Malegaon -Individual toilet loans in different settlements
Setting precedents where community collective pursuit of entitlements begins with the Mahila Milan taking initiatives is critical. When modest funds are made available, their visit to city administrations seeking permission often induces the city to provide the facility because most often they have the money but it is not their priority to utilize it. This also invokes a sense of pride ownership and begins to set an example to others about also mimicking this action, only now someone else has shown the way and can accompany them to get the next and the next facility.
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