Centre for Inclusive WASH

At night, I never go to the community toilet alone. My husband or one of my sons has to come with me because men who drink and use substances are lurking outside. My 16-year-old daughter finds it frightening to step out after sunset.

In my undergraduate hostel, I was automatically allotted a ground-floor room because it had an “accessible” toilet designed for mobility challenges. Being visually impaired, my needs are different, but they are often not asked for or assessed.

As a wheelchair user and trans man, the lack of accessible, private toilets has made managing menstrual hygiene exhausting and humiliating. With a disability, you cannot hide menstruation, since you need assistance. The shame is doubled.