Gender-Inclusive Sanitation: The Role Of Pink Toilets In Urban India (2017)

Policy Update
Kajal Vargaonkar

Background

The Pink Toilet Scheme represents a gender-responsive sanitation intervention launched by diverse municipal corporations and state authorities within the framework of the Swachh Bharat Mission to establish secure, hygienic, and dignified restrooms reserved for women, adolescent girls, and young children. These units are distinctively pink-colored to ensure rapid recognition within congested urban landscapes.

The formal commencement of the Pink Toilet initiative occurred on October 12, 2017, following the joint inauguration of the debut facility in Vikaspuri, New Delhi, by the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

Data provided by UNICEF in 2014 revealed that roughly 595 million citizens across India engaged in open defecation, a figure nearly equal to fifty percent of the total population. This pervasive issue carried severe implications for public sanitation standards and ecological health.

Women from all economic backgrounds are impacted by the lack of sanitation facilities. However, the situation of women from poorer backgrounds is far worse due to lack of options regarding the sanitation facilities.

The need for Pink Toilets is particularly significant in urban areas, where high population density, limited public sanitation facilities, and inadequate toilet infrastructure disproportionately affect women. The lack of safe, accessible, and hygienic public toilets increases the risk of open defecation, environmental contamination, and the transmission of faecal–oral diseases. Women are vulnerable to urinary tract and reproductive tract disease, as compared to men and there is risk of sexual harassment.

By providing gender-responsive sanitation facilities equipped with essential amenities, Pink Toilets contribute to improved public health, enhanced safety and dignity for women, and greater access to inclusive urban sanitation services.

Toilets constructed especially for women and children can address health and hygiene issues. A smart toilet facility for women and children that will provide basic check-ups, sanitary pads vending machines, incinerators, breastfeeding areas, and safe drinking water for women and children would be a remarkable idea and an example to learn from.

Considering this, NCPCR stands for the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights took the lead in designing the establishment of such systems for women, especially teenage girls in Delhi. Several meetings were convened at the NCPCR with all the concerned parties with a view to developing the project for better hygiene and health standards among teenage girls. School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) agreed to start the Pink Toilet initiative in Vikaspuri, Delhi.

Features and Facilities at the Pink Toilet

Figure no.01_ Features and Facilities at the Pink Toilet

Functioning

Table no.01_Key Interventions and Outcomes of Pink Toilets

Before Pink Toilets	Pink Toilet Intervention	After Implementation
Unsafe public toilets	Gender-responsive design	Safe sanitation
Poor maintenance	Dedicated caretaker	Clean facilities
No sanitary pad disposal	Vending machines & incinerators	Better menstrual hygiene
No child-friendly facilities	Child care & low-height fixtures	Family-friendly infrastructure
No ramps	Universal accessibility	Inclusive sanitation
Poor lighting	Well-lit premises	Increased safety
No feedback system	Digital grievance mechanism	Better service delivery

Institutional Framework and Implementation

The implementation of the Pink Toilet Scheme follows a multi-level governance model, with responsibilities shared among national institutions, state governments, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Rather than operating as a standalone centrally sponsored scheme, the initiative is implemented by leveraging existing urban sanitation programmes, including the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U), the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), municipal sanitation budgets, and, in some cities, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships.

At the national level, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) conceptualised the Pink Toilet initiative and developed its design framework, emphasizing gender-responsive sanitation infrastructure. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) provides the broader policy framework through national urban sanitation programmes, while state governments facilitate implementation by issuing administrative approvals, coordinating with municipal bodies, and integrating the initiative into state-level urban development priorities.

The primary responsibility for implementation rests with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Municipal corporations identify suitable high-footfall locations such as markets, bus terminals, railway stations, parks, schools, tourist destinations, and commercial areas where women face inadequate access to safe public sanitation. Based on local demand, population density, accessibility, and feasibility, ULBs plan, finance, construct, operate, and maintain Pink Toilets while ensuring compliance with the design standards prescribed by the NCPCR.

The decentralised implementation model has enabled cities to adapt the scheme to local requirements while strengthening urban sanitation infrastructure. Several municipalities have integrated technology-based monitoring systems, digital grievance redressal mechanisms, and preventive maintenance practices to improve service delivery. However, implementation quality varies considerably across cities due to differences in financial capacity, institutional arrangements, and maintenance practices. This highlights the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms, standardised service benchmarks, sustained financial support, and greater inter-agency coordination to ensure that Pink Toilets remain functional, safe, and accessible.

Performance

Nearly nine years after its launch, the Pink Toilet initiative has been adopted by several Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Indore. Implemented through the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U), municipal budgets, the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the scheme has expanded access to gender-responsive public sanitation. However, as Pink Toilets are not implemented under a single national programme, there is no consolidated national database on the number of facilities constructed or their utilisation.

Table no.02_ Achievements and Implementation Challenges of Pink Toilets

Achievements	Challenges
Dedicated sanitation facilities for women and girls	Inconsistent maintenance across cities
Improved menstrual hygiene through vending machines and incinerators	Irregular water supply in some locations
Child-friendly and accessible infrastructure	Non-functional vending machines and incinerators
Enhanced safety, dignity, and accessibility	Shortage of dedicated caretakers and monitoring

While the initiative has strengthened women’s access to safe public sanitation, reports from municipal bodies and independent assessments indicate that improving operation, maintenance, and monitoring is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of Pink Toilets.

Impact

One of the major contributions that the project has made is in terms of improving the conditions for menstruation management in public places. The introduction of sanitary vending machine and disposal machines, female and adolescent females can overcome menstruation-related challenges without worrying about whether they shall do it in a safe and hygienic manner. These facilities help to eliminate the need for unsatisfactory sanitation facilities and reduce the health risks connected with menstruation-related issues.

Moreover, the initiative helps women feel safer and more dignified in public places. The presence of adequate lighting and bathrooms for women only with female attendants makes it less dangerous to use less maintained and deserted public bathrooms.

Table no.03_ Impact of the Pink Toilet Initiative

Contribution Area	Impact of the Pink Toilet Initiative
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being	Promotes safe sanitation, menstrual hygiene management, and improved public health outcomes for women and girls.
SDG 5 – Gender Equality	Enhances women’s safety, dignity, and equitable access to public sanitation facilities.
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation	Expands access to clean, safe, and gender-responsive public sanitation infrastructure.
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities	Supports inclusive, accessible, and resilient urban infrastructure through women-friendly public facilities.
Governance Impact	Demonstrates a shift towards recognising sanitation as an essential component of inclusive urban governance rather than merely a public utility, although comprehensive impact assessments remain limited.

Emerging Issues

Absence of a National Policy Framework: The Pink Toilet initiative is not implemented under a dedicated national scheme, resulting in the absence of uniform guidelines, dedicated funding, and standardised implementation across states.
Inconsistent Implementation: Since the initiative depends on Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), municipal budgets, and convergence with programmes such as the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) and the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), the scale and quality of implementation vary significantly across cities.
Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Issues: Many municipalities prioritise construction over long-term maintenance, leading to poor cleanliness, irregular water supply, malfunctioning sanitary napkin vending machines, damaged incinerators, and shortages of female caretakers.
Weak Monitoring and Accountability: The absence of a consolidated national database and performance monitoring system limits the availability of reliable data on functionality, usage, maintenance, and user satisfaction, making evidence-based decision-making difficult.
Accessibility Gaps: Although design guidelines recommend ramps, child-friendly facilities, nursing rooms, and universal accessibility, many Pink Toilets do not fully meet the needs of persons with disabilities (PwDs) or caregivers with young children.
Low Public Awareness: Limited awareness regarding the availability and locations of Pink Toilets reduces utilisation, highlighting the need for better signage, digital mapping, and public awareness campaigns.

Way Forward

1. Strengthening the Policy Framework

There is a need to move beyond isolated infrastructure projects towards a comprehensive policy framework for gender-responsive urban sanitation to strengthen the Pink Toilet initiative. A dedicated nationwide framework under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) can establish uniform guidelines for planning, construction, operation, maintenance, monitoring, and evaluation, ensuring consistent implementation across states and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Such a framework would also facilitate systematic data collection, performance assessment, and evidence-based resource allocation.

2. Ensuring Sustainable Financing

Long-term success of the initiative depends on sustainable funding for operation and maintenance. Municipalities should allocate dedicated budgets for the upkeep of Pink Toilets while leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships and performance-based funding mechanisms. This would support regular maintenance, timely replacement of equipment, and adoption of new technologies to improve service delivery.

3. Leveraging Technology for Monitoring and Accountability

Technology can play a significant role in enhancing transparency and accountability. Integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, QR code-based feedback systems, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring of water supply and hygiene, and real-time municipal dashboards can improve grievance redressal, facilitate data-driven decision-making, and ensure timely maintenance. Mobile applications can further help citizens locate the nearest Pink Toilet, improving accessibility and utilisation.

4. Promoting Community Participation

Community engagement should be an integral component of future implementation. Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), educational institutions, and civil society organisations can support awareness campaigns, community audits, and behavioural change initiatives, thereby encouraging greater ownership and sustained use of the facilities.

5. Strengthening Monitoring and Performance Evaluation

Future evaluations should move beyond measuring the number of Pink Toilets constructed and instead assess key performance indicators such as cleanliness, functionality, accessibility, safety, user satisfaction, menstrual hygiene facilities, and maintenance frequency. Strengthening monitoring systems through digital dashboards, geo-tagging, and citizen feedback platforms will enhance accountability and enable evidence-based policymaking, ensuring the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the initiative.

Figure no.02_Pink Ladies Toilet under the Swachh Bharat Mission

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Pink Toilet initiative represents an important step towards creating gender-responsive and inclusive urban sanitation systems in India. By addressing the specific sanitation, safety, and menstrual hygiene needs of women, adolescent girls, and young children, the initiative contributes to healthier, safer, and more equitable public spaces.

To maximise its long-term impact, the initiative should be integrated into the broader framework of urban planning and gender-sensitive governance. Future urban development strategies should mainstream gender-responsive sanitation infrastructure within public transport hubs, Smart Cities, commercial centres, parks, educational institutions, and tourist destinations.

Strengthening institutional coordination, ensuring sustainable funding, establishing robust monitoring mechanisms, and prioritising operation and maintenance will be essential to enhance the effectiveness and scalability of the initiative. A well-maintained and accessible public sanitation system is not only a public health necessity but also a prerequisite for building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities.

Selected References and Important Links

Activate Talks. (2014, December 3). Innovations to support ending open defecation. PRLog. https://www.prlog.org/12407871-activate-talks-innovations-to-support-ending-open-defecation.html

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. (n.d.). Guidelines on Pink Toilets. Government of India.

Press Information Bureau. (n.d.). Features. Government of India. https://www.pib.gov.in/FeaturesDeatils.aspx?ModuleId=2&NoteId=153334&lang=2&reg=48

Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). (n.d.). New age toilets. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. https://sbmurban.org/new-age-toilets

Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). (2021). Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0: Operational guidelines. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. https://sbmurban.org/storage/app/media/pdf/swachh-bharat-2.pdf

UNICEF. (n.d.). Menstrual hygiene. https://www.unicef.org/wash/menstrual-hygiene

UNICEF India. (2024). Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). https://www.unicef.org/india/what-we-do/water-sanitation-hygiene

World Health Organization. (2024, March 22). Sanitation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sanitation

About the Contributor

Kajal is a Research & Editorial Intern at the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI) and pursuing Masters in Urban Management from, CEPT University. Her research interests include public policy, sustainable development, solid waste management, urban infrastructure, and governance.