Opinion To enhance women’s participation in the workforce, we need gender-inclusive washrooms and infrastructure
Decision-makers must recognise that ensuring the availability of safe and hygienic toilets is a fundamental step toward gender equality in public spaces
The absence of gender-inclusive infrastructure not only affects daily mobility but also has far-reaching consequences, including restricting women’s participation in the workforce. (Representational image: Abhishek Saha) 
-
Share -
-
-
Since childhood, many women have been conditioned to use the restroom before stepping out of their homes — whether for school, shopping, work, or even a short walk. This ingrained habit stems from a harsh reality: The scarcity of clean and accessible public toilets for women. While men may find relief in open spaces, women do not have that privilege. The absence of gender-inclusive infrastructure not only affects daily mobility but also has far-reaching consequences, including restricting women’s participation in the workforce.
The reality of public toilets in India
A significant number of women in India report that the lack of safe, hygienic public toilets has forced them to leave jobs requiring long hours outside their homes. Research supports this claim, identifying inadequate sanitation facilities as a key barrier to women’s workforce participation. A 2018 survey by ActionAid India found that 35 per cent of public toilets in Delhi did not have a separate section for women. Alarmingly, 45 per cent of these toilets had no mechanism to lock the doors from inside, and 53 per cent lacked running water. Such conditions compromise not just hygiene but also the safety and dignity of women.
In Uttar Pradesh, where funds are allocated generously for temples and the Kumbh Mela, a 2019 report by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy found that among 74 district courts, four didn’t have a single washroom, while seven had no facilities for women. Similarly, in 2021, reports surfaced about the lack of adequate sanitary facilities for female police personnel in UP police stations.
The recent investigation into the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata underscored another alarming reality—the absence of clean, well-lit toilets for women staff even within hospital premises. This is not an isolated issue but a symptom of a larger systemic failure that leaves women vulnerable in public and professional spaces across India.
For trans and queer individuals, the situation is even worse. A national study by the Freshwater Action Network South Asia and the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council revealed that transgender people often struggle to access public toilets. If they use men’s facilities, they are exposed to harassment and violence, while women’s restrooms are often unwelcoming. The study highlights how transgender persons are often mistaken for seeking sex work when visiting toilets, leading to further discrimination. Consequently, many trans individuals are forced to wait for a safe moment to relieve themselves, leading to health issues and emotional distress.
In 2018, WaterAid, in collaboration with the Freshwater Action Network South Asia and the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, held consultations with transgender communities in Chennai. Participants emphasised the urgent need for well-lit, hygienic, and gender-neutral toilets in public and workplace settings, as well as community toilet complexes with bathing facilities.
Lack of gender-inclusive infrastructure: A structural barrier
One of the major reasons for women’s underrepresentation in the workforce is the absence of gender-inclusive public infrastructure. It confines women to low-paying, home-based industries, restricting their mobility and reinforcing the burden of unpaid care work.
The latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) annual report (July 2023 – June 2024), indicates a notable rise in women’s labour force participation, increasing from 23.3 per cent in 2017-18 to 41.7 per cent in 2023-24. However, much of this increase is in rural areas, where participation rose from 24.7 per cent to 48 per cent, while urban areas saw a more modest rise from 20.4 per cent to 28 per cent. Crucially, much of this rural participation includes women engaged in family businesses and home-based jobs—roles that do not always guarantee financial independence or fair remuneration. Many of these roles do not require women to access public spaces or workplace infrastructure, including safe and hygienic washrooms.
Gender-inclusive public spaces must include clean and hygienic washrooms with adequate privacy, proper lighting, sanitary napkin vending machines, and secure locking systems. These facilities should also cater to the needs of trans and queer individuals, ensuring that all citizens — regardless of gender identity — can access basic sanitation with dignity.
most read
Notably, access to sanitation is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right. Under the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, states are obligated to ensure access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, with special attention to the needs of women, girls, and vulnerable groups. Public restrooms should not only be available but also equipped with essential amenities, including running water, sanitary napkin dispensers, and disposal systems.
Governments, urban planners, and policymakers must prioritise gender-inclusive toilets infrastructure as a core aspect of public planning. Adequate funding, strict monitoring, and community participation are crucial to ensuring that public toilets are not only built but also maintained and upgraded to meet the needs of all individuals. Additionally, workplaces, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities must be mandated to provide clean and secure restrooms for their employees and visitors.
Decision-makers must recognise that ensuring the availability of safe and hygienic toilets is a fundamental step toward gender equality in public spaces. Sanitation is not just a matter of convenience—it is a critical determinant of women’s mobility, safety, and economic empowerment. The call for gender-inclusive toilets is not a demand for special treatment; it is a demand for basic human dignity and rights.
The writer is a social activist
-
Share
-
-
-
Share
