open defecation

Toilets with Piped Music for Rich, Open Defecation on Rail Tracks for Poor

By Thalif Deen
As most developing nations fall short of meeting their goals on sanitation, the world’s poorest countries have been lagging far behind, according to a new U.N. report released here.

Despite Setbacks, Global Sanitation Makes Progress, Says Fund

By Thalif Deen
When the United Nations hosted a panel discussion last year urging its partners to “break their silence” on open defecation, Singapore’s deputy permanent representative Mark Neo was outspoken in his characterisation: “Open defecation is a euphemism. What we are talking about is shitting in the open.”

Lack of Toilets Keeps Women Out of Politics

By Stella Paul
Nine months after she was elected head of her village council, 36-year-old Krupa Shanti has overseen some significant changes in this rural outpost of Mallampeta, 570 km away from Hyderabad, capital of the southeastern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

U.N. Vows to Eliminate Open Defecation by 2025

By Thalif Deen
At the height of his election campaign last October, Narendra Modi, India's Hindu nationalist leader, briefly set aside his spiritual aspirations when he told a surprised audience that economic development should take precedence over religion.