Kathmandu’s smart toilets give dignity to workers, confidence to women users

Padma Deula (42) belongs to a subsection in the Newa community that is primarily known as cleaners. Some 12 years ago, she started working as a cleaner, professionally. Every day, with her broom, she sweeps the streets in her neighbourhood.

But, over the years, her two working shifts only paid her some Rs 9,000 a month, not enough for her family expenses. “But, now, I have started working here [at a public toilet at Swayambhunath area], and I earn more than enough to manage my daily and family expenses,” Deula shares, “I have experienced a fair share of humiliation and discrimination in my job before, but here I feel much safer and respected, and I have learned more about health and sanitation.”