From this conversation, key takeaways that need to be taken forward:
- Data can help track, audit, maintain public toilets and can also assist in planning construction of new names in areas lacking them.
- There is no international standard to audit a toilet. Isn’t it time we had one, at least in India?
- Cleanliness, access by all and safe for all came out as the most important indicators to design and also decide locations of public toilets.
- Toilets maintained by public authorities are generally the dirtiest. Those privately maintained (e.g. in malls, restaurants) are generally cleaner.
- We need to also think about the transgender people and those with disabilities to ensure that public toilets are inclusive.
- Government, non-profits and the public must join hands for access to public toilets becomes a reality
