Learning exchange on gender-inclusive sanitation, Odisha, 2024

In April 2024, CREA and the Odisha Urban Academy (OUA) organised a two-day learning exchange on gender-inclusive sanitation in Odisha. The visit showcased the state’s innovative urban sanitation model, highlighting community participation and the inclusion of women, transgender persons, and youth in sanitation systems. Programmes such as FSSM, Garima, and MUKTA demonstrated integrated approaches that combine policy, training, and digital tools for inclusive and sustainable sanitation governance.

What you’ll find in this report

  • Insights into Odisha’s inclusive sanitation model that engages women, transgender persons, and youth in sanitation value chains through targeted training and employment opportunities
  • Overview of the Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) programme, where 108 of 113 treatment plants are community-managed, reducing pollution and strengthening local ownership
  • Highlights from the Garima scheme, which ensures safety, dignity, insurance, and welfare benefits for sanitation workers, including risk allowances and mechanised cleaning
  • Discussion on how digital governance platforms such as SUJOG and UPYOG enhance transparency by tracking sanitation operations from waste collection to treatment
  • Reflections on the MUKTA and slum upgradation schemes that promote land rights, community infrastructure, and Self-Help Group-led livelihoods in urban sanitation management

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