SANITATION WORKERS HAVE BEEN THE BLIND SPOT IN INDIA’S MARCH TOWARDS SANITATION.
Sanitation workers are broadly understood to be a single amorphous category, but there exist nine types of work across the value chain.
Sanitation workers can be viewed as six distinct personas based on their motivations, opportunities and ability.
The 29 key insights we developed from a combination of field research, stakeholder interviews, and desk research. They can be grouped in four categories:
Behavioural
We looked at mental models impacting entry into the job, worker perceptions, behaviour on-the-job and pathways for progression.
Social
We studied the role of caste in perpetuating unsafe conditions for workers as well as the choices and constraints faced by women.
Infrastructure
We looked at the quality of the toilet and sanitation system interface, sanitation infrastructure, cleaning equipment and safety gear.
Governance
We analyzed government priorities for sanitation workers, policy design, financing, organization, systems and processes and capacity building.
After understanding the problem and identifying best practices throughout the sector, we developed a list of potential solutions which form part of a strategic blueprint to address the problem, including high-level recommendations for a few cities, strategic partnerships, and metrics to prioritize the implementation of these solutions.
Cross-cutting enablers
Entry
On the job
