Proper use of
toilet is still secondary on many parts of the country. In some of the part
construction of toilet is taken as the burden to their economy status even that
is affordable and in some places people do not afford to make it. In many
stances, the constructed toilets are not disability inclusive due to the
accessibility issue. Salute to ODF campaigning for promoting the use of toilets
and make an area free of open defecation Zone (ODF) in many parts of country.
According to the national census, about 1.94% of people in Nepal are with
different type of disability which is more than 5,13,321. It’s very important
to ensure that these many populations have proper access to toilet as UNCRPD
also obligates state party to ensure right to health for the person with
disability. Infections which are supposed to be spread after not using toilet
simply due to the poor accessibility could be dangerous and alarming public
health issue and nonetheless this may tarnish the aim of making Nepal an open
defecation free zone. Therefore, it’s very important for the ODF campaigners to
ensure the disability inclusiveness during the implementation.
Thanks to one who
are involved in ODF campaigning and declaring the VDCs and district an open
defecation free zone. When I go to the different districts, I see a sign board
on the VDCs that’s telling," This particular VDC is an open defection free
zone". It’s really praiseworthy that at least right holders, decision
makers and service providers of these places aimed and decided to make their
area an open defecation free zone. But declaration is work that is done in
table and the very vital thing is the real implementation. Inculcating the
habit of wisely using the toilet is a long term process where the routine
follow up and re-sensitization is very important to sustain the real
implementation of the ODF campaigning. Routine follow is a time consuming
process hence the campaigning should be done in close collaboration with the
local groups and authority. FCHVs and social mobilizers of VDCs are volunteers
who are in constant touch with the local people and who have the information
about the real scenario of the VDC. Therefore, they can be the potential human
resource could be trained and deployed for the follow up in the community as
the part of their regular work.
Let us link the ODF
campaigning with the government of Nepal published accessibility guideline that
obligates state and non-state actors to ensure the accessible environment (for
the person with disability) in the public places. Hence philosophy of this
guideline needs to be well incorporated during the implementation and follow up
process of making Nepal an ODF free zone. International rehabilitation
experts says that only 4% of the total rehabilitation needs are being addressed
in Nepal. Still Nepal has 96% of the rehabilitation needs that has to be
fulfilled. The rehabilitation needs could be physiotherapy, assistive devices,
corrective surgeries and other specialized services. The rehabilitation
services are directly linked with the mobility of the person with disability.
Increase mobility of the person with disability increases the access to toilets
and other sanitation measures. Therefore, multi sectorial collaboration
is something very desirable at the implementation level. Multi sectorial
collaboration for the inclusive ODF campaigning could be resulted by
distributing the resources and responsibility among right holder-person with
disability, decision makers-state party/ministries/DDC/VDC and service
providers to the person with disability- rehabilitation center located in each
regions of Nepal.
Since today is
international toilet day, let’s rejuvenate ourselves s to make Nepal an ODF
free zone. Let’s have a positive hope that the newly elected leaders will lead
and make this campaign a very success setting an outstanding example in this
world.
