New policy to focus on gender equity

  • | Monday | 17th September, 2018

In addition to laying down ways and methods of waste management, the policy has cared for people who are instrumental in translating policy into action at the ground level. Waste management has emerged as a source of job opportunity and the people in lower strata of the society who are involved with this job often face exploitation or discrimination. Therefore, they are more affected due to the adverse impacts of unscientific waste disposal practices,” the policy document notes.T N Seema, vice-chairperson, Clean Kerala Mission, said that gender equity has been included in waste management policy acknowledging the growing contribution of women in the sector.“For the past two decades, Kerala’s waste management at the ground level has been driven mainly by Kudumbashree groups. The policy aims to address factors like social vulnerability and to gain them the recognition they deserve,” said Seema.Corporations in the state employ 500-900 sanitation workers and temporary staff are also recruited for special occasions. Corporation officials admit that toilet facilities or changing rooms for women were never considered while deploying women for duty at aerobic composting units or resource recovery centres.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Radhamani (name changed), a 42-year-old sanitation worker of Thiruvananthapuram city corporation, skips drinking water during her duty hours, this way she does away with the need to go to toilet. Her shift begins at 7am and ends at 1pm, when the need becomes unavoidable, she either goes to any of the houses in the locale where she is on duty and requests for using toilet or else she will have to return to the health circle office where around 20 women are supposed to use one toilet.She often ends up with medication for urinary infection. They are also forced to switch to uniforms in crammed changing rooms and if the duty is at aerobic bin unit, such facility is out of reach.Addressing such concerns of sanitation workers across the state, the government has incorporated gender equity as a key aspect in the new waste management policy in what is considered to be a model initiative. In addition to laying down ways and methods of waste management, the policy has cared for people who are instrumental in translating policy into action at the ground level. The local governments will have to ensure that the women sanitation workers are not dragged to do the stipulated works in unhygienic and insanitary conditions and without appropriate economic compensation and social inclusion, the new waste management policy notified as per solid waste management rules 2016 states.“The caring and protective nature of service involved in activities related to sanitation, environmental upkeep and waste management attracts more women into the sector. Therefore, they are more affected due to the adverse impacts of unscientific waste disposal practices,” the policy document notes.T N Seema, vice-chairperson, Clean Kerala Mission, said that gender equity has been included in waste management policy acknowledging the growing contribution of women in the sector.“For the past two decades, Kerala’s waste management at the ground level has been driven mainly by Kudumbashree groups. We have also unrolled Green army which again comprises women. Waste management has emerged as a source of job opportunity and the people in lower strata of the society who are involved with this job often face exploitation or discrimination. The policy aims to address factors like social vulnerability and to gain them the recognition they deserve,” said Seema.Corporations in the state employ 500-900 sanitation workers and temporary staff are also recruited for special occasions. Corporation officials admit that toilet facilities or changing rooms for women were never considered while deploying women for duty at aerobic composting units or resource recovery centres. “This has now changed and we are ensuring facilities to cater to sanitary requirements of women workers in places like Muttathara and Medical College where new resource recovery centres have been set up,” said an official.With the policy coming into effect, the local bodies will have to ensure suitable men-women ratio among workers. Besides, they shall be extended safe, healthy and gender-friendly work environment.

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