Chennai: Dasra, a strategic philanthropy organisation, has launched a groundbreaking documentary titled ‘Tracing the Tracks’ to spotlight real, uncensored stories on the lives and journeys of sanitation workers. As part of the documentary, five sanitation workers from Tamil Nadu namely, Prema, Chitrakala, Muthulakshmi, Bharathi and Divya, have been featured. While these sanitation workers play a crucial and unmissable role in ensuring the safe management of human waste, which benefits all citizens, their journeys and voices remain absent from public consciousness.
Dasra is the Secretariat of the National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (NFSSM) Alliance: a collaborative body driving discourse on faecal sludge and septage management (FSSM) forward in India with a key emphasis upon the need to ensure safe and dignified livelihoods for sanitation workers.
The thought-provoking documentary ‘Tracing the Tracks’ has been produced by Teepoi, a film production company based out of Bengaluru, Karnataka. Dasra partnered with Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), whose crucial work and direct engagement with sanitation workers has helped with documenting sanitation workers performing different types of duties across the sanitation value chain.
India has more than 5 million sanitation workers who play a crucial role in managing human waste across the entire sanitation value chain. They face the brunt of deep social stigma associate with handling human waste and often have to work in hazardous, unsafe conditions. Due to the informal nature of the sanitation sector, workers are not properly recognised for their work, lack access to safety equipment, adequate and timely remuneration and coverage under social protection schemes. ‘Tracing the Tracks’ seeks to build awareness and recognition of sanitation work. The documentary showcases the lives of these unsung champions and presents a solution-oriented approach, showcasing solutions and best practices for the implementation of safe and dignified livelihoods for sanitation workers.
Kavita Wankhade, Head – Practice, Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) says, “Sanitation workers, numbering over 5 million across the country, play a pivotal role in ensuring access to safe and inclusive sanitation. But their contributions are often overlooked. They are exposed to hazardous working conditions and face deep-rooted stigma and social discrimination. It’s crucial that we address these issues and ensure safe and dignified livelihoods for sanitation workers. The Tamil Nadu Urban Sanitation Support Programme (https://tnussp.co.in/) works to improve the overall quality of life of sanitation workers. This includes supporting them in accessing welfare schemes and healthcare, improving their occupational safety and standards of living, and helping them adopt alternative livelihood options.”
Featured in the documentary, Divya, a Desludging Operator from Tamil Nadu, said, “I have been handling a septic tank vehicle for 7 years now. I learnt this while working with my aunt who was in this profession. We follow strict processes while operating including inspecting the tank for its location, condition and any possible blockages. The hose is heavy and I struggled during the initial days. But now, with experience, things have become easier for me. Even if it is a 25 feet hose, I can pull it myself. I often get questioned about my choice of doing septic tank work and entering a male dominated space. But the women of the households that we visit support me. I am also expanding my work and have started buying and selling vehicles. My main focus is to overcome the difficulties and support my family.”
Sharing her experience, Chitrakala, Community Toilet Caretaker (In-charge, public toilet 58th ward) from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, said, “We handle the public toilet as a group. Initially, only a few people used it and ladies did not come because it was being managed by a man, and other men used to gather there to drink, gossip and fight. We have focused on making toilet access better and safer for ladies as well as children. Also, we don’t collect money from women as well as visually impaired, persons with disabilities and trans people. We are using safety equipment, like gloves and glasses, and machine for cleaning. I don’t feel embarrassed about my work and feel proud when people praise the cleanliness of our toilets.”
Muthulakshmi, School Sanitation Worker from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, said, “I have been employed as a sanitation worker through a self-help group. I am the bread winner for my family and have been doing this for seven years. Cleanliness has been a major change after the COVID-19 pandemic. I have received proper training and safety equipment like PPE kit, masks etc. I teach students how to use the incinerator, and how to put used pads in it during menstruation. I feel proud to do my job.”
The complete documentary can be viewed on: https://youtu.be/B30mMDyfQuU
By showcasing the lived realities of sanitation workers, ‘Tracing the Tracks’ hopes to ignite conversations, inspire empathy, and advocate for better working conditions and recognition for sanitation workers across the nation.
