End Term Evaluation Study of Strengthening Community Cantered and Gender Responsive Provisioning and Use of Sanitation Services Among Slum Dwellers in Delhi

Aims & Objectives: This was an end-term evaluation study of the intervention by CFAR to identify and address the gaps in awareness relating to sanitation, water and hygiene. The basic intervention was the introduction of sustained sanitation and hygiene behaviours among women by establishing their linkage with health. The intervention was implemented through the formation of forums or groups in the poorest clusters of the three cities of Delhi, Jaipur and Kolkata.

Methodology: The study used a mixed methods approach including both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Findings:

• Overall, access to water has improved over the intervention period. Only 15 per cent of the households had a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) connection at home as per the baseline, which has increased now to 25 per cent in the midterm.
• The knowledge regarding water storage and cleanliness has improved. About 22 per cent of the households which initially did not purify water reported doing so. Four per cent of households reported that CFAR members were instrumental in inducing this change, while other households credited ASHA workers and Anganwadi sevikas for the change.

Recommendation: The study made the following recommendations based on the end-term evaluation:

• While the strategy to use a mix of methods and inputs for the implementation of this intervention has proven to be effective, more rigorous and continuous efforts are needed in all the areas for it to be successful and to transform to the level where it can be viewed as sustainable.
• There is a need to have appropriate support from the government and its programmes for leveraging the intervention efforts effectively. The Swachh Bharat Mission can potentially boost any intervention of this kind.
• A national collective consisting of different bodies
• Needs to be formed in order to build their strong points while also aiding such macro- interventions.
• Given the situation of urban poor localities, there is a need to move towards ending open defecation and ensuring toilets for all under the SBA.
• The associated concerns require a renewed focus on sanitation, water and hygiene in order to improve the lives of urban poor women and girls.