110 Building Toilets
Rembocvnibnxgncbbarriers to toilets for women
This activity helps people talk about issues that may prevent women from having
access to safe and healthy toilets. The goal is to decide what changes might be
necessary to improve health for everyone. After the activity has been done with
just women, a session can be organized with men and women.
Time: 1 to 1½ hours
Materials: Large drawing paper, pens, sticky tape
➊ Write statements about toilets on a large piece of paper. Then read each statement
to the group, and ask each person to decide whether she agrees or disagrees.
(Ask people to raise a hand if they agree, or to leave their hand down if they do
not.) For every ‘yes’ answer, make a mark next to the phrase.
Here are some statements that might be used:
During monthly
bleeding we are
not permitted to
use the toilets.
The toilets are not
safe for children.
Too far from my house.
Safer to go in the bush.
No way to wash after.
The toilet is dirty and I am
the person who must clean it.
I do not want to be seen
entering or leaving the toilet.
Pregnant women are not
permitted to use toilets.
During monthly bleeding
we are not permitted
to use the toilets.
The toilets are not safe
for children.
➋ Count the marks beside each statement. Choose the problems that were
mentioned most often and begin a discussion about them. What is the cause of
the problem? What illnesses may result from this problem? What can be done to
improve the situation? What are the barriers to improving the situation?
➌ End with the group deciding on some actions that can be taken by both men and
women to make sure everyone’s needs are met.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012