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Raising Her Voice for Sanitation Justice: Khadijaben Garasiya’s Journey in Dungri Village

In the remote village of Dungri, located in Valia taluka of Gujarat’s Bharuch district, sanitation has long remained a neglected issue, especially for women. Among the few who dared to speak up was Khadijaben Garasiya, a quiet but determined woman who stood firm in the face of apathy. “Even if it gets difficult, I won’t stop doing my duty. Even if people insult me, I know I am working for the greater good,” she says. Dungri village comprises around 300 households, yet only 20 to 25 homes have toilets. The rest of the population had no choice but to defecate in the open. Though the government had sanctioned toilet construction through contractors, the results were deeply flawed. “Some toilets are too small, others were built without pits, and many don’t even have doors. Most are unusable and have been turned into store rooms,” Khadijaben explains. She also expressed her concern about the lack of community voice in governance. “Our Gram Sabha is never held. All decisions are taken by two or three powerful people and the Sarpanch, with no participation from the rest of the villagers.”

 

Khadijaben, like many others, had little hope that anything would change. But when Utthan entered the village, their consistent presence and people-centred approach stood out. Regular meetings, awareness drives, and COVID-19 hygiene campaigns helped build trust, especially among women. Motivated by their efforts, Khadijaben became actively involved. With support from Utthan, the first Gram Sabha in years was held, attended by over 35 villagers. A Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Committee was formed, and women finally had a platform to share their concerns. Exposure visits and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) exercises helped Khadijaben understand sanitation in a broader context and strengthened her resolve. “Utthan listened to the women and truly understood the problems faced by us and our children,” she says.

 

Today, the construction of new toilets is finally underway in Dungri, and a long-ignored issue is now at the centre of community discussion. Khadijaben now dreams of a village where every household has a safe, functional toilet. “Utthan has addressed so many needs that were ignored for years. I now hope that everyone joins hands for the betterment of our village,” she says with conviction. Her journey reflects the power of women’s voices in demanding justice and dignity, and the critical role of patient, participatory processes in driving lasting change.