The government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with WaterAid Bangladesh to construct and renovate public toilets in capital Dhaka.
Representatives of Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka WASA and WaterAid Bangladesh signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides for construction, renovation and development of workable management models of public toilets in the city.
The signing ceremony was held at the conference room of Local Government Division (LGD) at Bangladesh Secretariat, said a WaterAid press release.
Under project SUNRISE, WaterAid and its partners will construct and renovate public toilets across the city and will ensure appropriate management of the same engaging companies with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
To facilitate this process, DNCC and NSCC have agreed to provide space in different crowded places as well as under many foot-over bridges. Dhaka WASA has committed to extend their support to make the public toilets fully functional.
The four-year project is supported by H&M Conscious Foundation.
A study commissioned by WaterAid in 2011 found that more than half of the public toilets in Dhaka are not in minimum serviceable condition for use. Out of the total 47 toilets, 35 do not have facility for women and children. The scenario reflects alarming and hazardous environmental health of the city.
Besides, across all types of public toilets, the quality of services is generally poor and the provision of facilities for females and for the persons with disability is almost absent.
