With the Covid-19 pandemic, it is recognised that by addressing sanitation and water issues, we improve hygiene, health, gender, and livelihoods. However, when it comes to implementation, it is evident that sanitation-related needs and vulnerabilities of women need to be better addressed. The India Sanitation Coalition is committed to looking at these reforms through a gender lens to ensure unintended biases do not creep in. Policies on water and sanitation need to keep the needs of women centre-stage — indeed enable them to be agents of change. Naina Lal Kidwai is chair, India Sanitation Coalition and FICCI Water MissionThe views expressed are personal

Source: Hindustan Times December 30, 2020 14:16 UTC