How one woman brought better sanitation to thousands

In the shadow of New Delhi’s high-rises, a quiet revolution in sanitation has been reshaping lives. What began as one woman’s mission to restore dignity to her community has now brought cleaner, safer living conditions to thousands.

The effort was spearheaded by Meera Devi, who once lived without access to a private toilet herself. Frustrated by the daily struggles faced by women and children, she mobilized neighbors, secured local support, and worked with NGOs to build more than 1,500 household toilets across the region.

The impact goes beyond hygiene. In many parts of India, women without toilets risk harassment or even assault when relieving themselves outdoors. The lack of sanitation has also long been linked to disease outbreaks, poor school attendance among girls, and lost productivity. By turning a personal challenge into a collective cause, Meera has changed both health outcomes and social norms.

India has made strides through the government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), which claims to have expanded access to toilets nationwide. But grassroots leaders like Meera show how national policies only succeed when individuals push for real adoption in their communities.

For many residents, a toilet means more than convenience — it means safety, dignity, and a step out of poverty. And while India still faces a long road toward universal sanitation, this local story shows how one determined woman helped accelerate that journey.

In a country of 1.4 billion, change can often feel overwhelming. But in this case, it began with a single voice — and ended up transforming thousands of lives.

This story was originally published on https://www.dw.com/ and is republished here with permission.