Women’s body raises voice against stink

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

KOZHIKODE: The streets of Kozhikode are likely to witness a series of protests as women’s organisation Sreechetana has begun a signature campaign against the corporation’s lethargy in implementing the directions of the ombudsman to local self-government institutions.

The ombudsman in its last sitting had directed the civic authorities to complete the work on 15 toilets before August 15. But the civic body has failed to keep its promise.

Ombudsman M R Hariharan issued the order on a petition filed by Dr K S Jayasree, general secretary of Sreechetana, on the pathetic condition of public toilets in the city. She had pointed out that the toilets in city were unfit for use. The corporation thereafter agreed to build toilets at Mananchira Square, Corporation Stadium, Elathur, Cheruvannur, Beypore, Nallalam, Palayalam taxi stand, Beach Lions Park, near old passport office, near light house, Oyasis compound, near head post office, Koyanko bazaar and Oyitty Road. The toilet on Oyitty Road was thrown open to the public last year itself.

The issue of toilet for women was raised after an employee of a private hotel in the city was caught red-handed for fixing a camera in the ladies’ toilet of a restaurant in Kozhikode in 2010. Marches by various women and other organisations conducted protesting the privacy of women and demanded separate public toilets for them.

This was followed by protests by various women’s organizations demanding separate public toilets for women.

The Streechetana has submitted a memorandum to the Kozhikode Corporation mayor A K Premajam demanding the speedy completion of the construction of toilets in remaining places. The organization has also submitted more than 2,000 signatures collected from the pubic as part of its signature campaign to gain public support for the noble cause to the Mayor the other day. “We have given one month deadline to the corporation mayor. We will resume our agitation if the civic authorities fail to keep its promises,” said Jayasree.

 

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-13/kozhikode/30148864_1_public-toilets-signature-campaign-civic-body