Resources / URBAN SANITATION AND DISABILITY

Summary

If the goal is sanitation for all, the vulnerable should be empowered to make their presence felt regarding issues of sanitation. We cannot proudly talk about sanitation for all when we make no room whatsoever for vulnerable communities to voice their opinions and have their issues addressed

Full text

URBAN SANITATION AND DISABILITY

The issue of sanitation and disability seems to be one of the least discussed topics as we globally continue to address urban sanitation concerns. From the numerous research studies that have been conducted, it is can be noted that in many Developing countries; slum areas are low lying water catchment areas. Households in these areas do not enjoy adequate housing and security and they are constantly exposed to dangerous living conditions were they are at a constant risk of endangering their lives. Findings from the National Service Delivery Survey (2004) reveal that poor housing conditions are associated with pests and diseases and are a menace to the health of household members.

Majority of the population in urban slums live in informal, congested and unplanned environments. These areas have high water tables and are prone to flooding during the rainy season. Owing to their susceptibility to flooding, sanitation facilities, especially toilets are constructed in such a way that they are raised above the ground level. This requires that stairs cases are constructed such that the toilet facilities are easily accessed. Despite the construction of stair cases, few if any facilities have provision for romps used by vulnerable groups like: the terminally ill, the old and the disabled individuals (See Figure 1).

Figure 1: Community VIP without Provision for vulnerable groups (Notice absence of romp used by disabled, sick and old persons.), Kawempe Division, Kampala, Uganda

In a bid to meet the pressing needs of the majority, the needs of the minority are often times neglected or over looked. Their opinions and ideas are very rarely taken into consideration especially during consultative and planning phases. Lack of proper sanitation is a public health disaster; it consigns humanity to conditions that encourage the multiplication of disease causing organisms which have negative impacts on the health and life. Adequate sanitation is a fundamental human right; all humanity is entitled to living in an environment that is devoid of elements that promote ill health and less productivity. Sanitation issues are a concern for each and every individual; for every man, woman and child irrespective of physical ability, ethnicity, religion or socio-economic status. Their voice and input in the sanitation concerns are extremely important as it concretizes the need for collective planning and action. Access to sanitation facilities for each and every person is paramount considering it safeguards health and enforces dignity of individuals.

Minority and vulnerable groups that are unable to access toilet facilities are subjected to mediocre, undignified and unproductive lives as they are shunned and rejected by the wider community. They live in isolation and shame which could easily have been avoided if they had had their ideas incorporated during the planning phases allowing for the construction of toilet facilities that suit their special needs. The principle of equality and inclusion requires that all groups of people are involved in making decisions that will invariably have a bearing on the way they conduct their affairs and live their lives. If the goal is sanitation for all, the vulnerable should be empowered to make their presence felt regarding issues of sanitation. We cannot proudly talk about sanitation for all when we make no room whatsoever for vulnerable communities to voice their opinions and have their issues addressed. There is an urgent need to strike a delicate balance between meeting majority sanitation needs while meeting the needs of minority groups as well, especially amongst urban slum dwellers.