Inspired by the plot of recently released film Gutru Gutargun, Rajasthan women have picked up spades to get toilets constructed in every household in Udaipur district. The movie revolves around Uganti’s revolt for hygiene concerns, against the patriarchal society of Rajasthan. It’s a satirical comedy that aims at raising sanitation issues in Rajasthan. The lead actress of the movie Asmita Sharma, beautifully plays the role of Uganti, who protests against the double-standards of the society.
The movie projects Uganti’s struggle to get access to community toilets in villages, where women are allowed to use toilets before sunrise and after sunset, which is not just inhumane, but unpractical, as well. The women in remote villages of Udaipur could relate their life-story with Uganti’s journey.
The movie fared well after the Rajasthan government made it tax-free. To add to it, the Udaipur district administration partnered up with local NGOs and volunteer groups to encourage the villagers to watch this movie. Since the movie was premiered on February 3 in Udaipur, throngs of women from neighbouring villages marched to movie theatres. Needless to say, the movie left a positive impression in their minds.
In just one week, over 50 women from Phalasiya and Kurabad blocks have convinced their husbands to get personal toilets constructed in their homes. This information was reported by the director of WI (Wells for India) OP Sharma. WI, along with partner organisations Hanuman Van Vikas Samiti and Mahan Sewa Santhan, organised the special movie premier for 550 women in tribal regions of Udaipur district.
Rodi Bai from Gameti (Guda Gram Panchayat, Kurabad block) and Geeta Devi Gamar from Amaliya (Phalasiya block) were the ones that pioneered the ‘sanitation drive’ in their respective areas. Gamar vowed to make her Gram Panchayat open defecation free as soon as possible. On the other hand, Hudi Bai had requested her family males to achieve this target as soon as possible.
Other than dignity concerns and health issues, attacks from wild animals and anti-social elements were chief concerns haunting the women, who visit the outskirts for open defecation. Like Uganti, even they’ve to wait till dusk to get access to community toilets. Nevertheless, with the support of local NGOs and state government, the women can ‘relieve’ themselves in the closed, sheltered residential toilets.
CEO of Udaipur Zila Parishad Avichal Sharma sees it as a positive step that will help reinforce Rajasthan government’s struggle to achieve ODF status for maximum districts in the state.
