Midweek Musings 24, 20.05.26

                                     SDGs in governance

Toilets have to be mainstreamed - based on gender, and physical ability have to be designed...like in this public toilet constructed after the Asian Tsunami in Car Nicobar, Nicobar district, Andaman Nicobar Islands.  I Malini Shankar shot this picture in March 2014 in Carnic.

By Malini Shankar

Digital Discourse Foundation

All the ills of modern society that manifest as urban sores, find salvation in Sustainable Development Goals. Be it elimination of poverty and hunger, Climate Change Adaptation, water energy, food and livelihood security, inclusivity for the differently abled, and so on… there are 17 SDGs that will make the difference between satisfaction and aspiration like day and night.  

The 17 SDGs include:

1.       Poverty Eradication

2.       Hunger Eradication

3.       Good Health and wellbeing

4.       Quality Education

5.       Gender Equality

6.       (Access / right) to clean water and sanitation

7.       Affordable and Clean Energy

8.       Decent work and economic wellbeing / Right to livelihood security

9.       Industry, Innovation and infrastructure

10.   Reduced Inequalities

11.   Sustainable Cities and Communities

12.   Responsible consumption and production

13.   Climate Action

14.   Life Below Water

15.   Life on Land

16.   Peace, justice and strong institutions

17.   Partnerships for the Goals

 

Smart City Governance makes it incumbent on the political representatives to make governance SDG compliant. While cynics might argue that poverty and crime will never be eradicated, it remains a primary responsibility for powers that be. Obviously the need for institutional backing of economic development is key to poverty eradication, elimination of hunger and crime, right to education and livelihood security.

These primary rights will also enable water, food, livelihood and energy security, Proper land-use planning guidelines will also ensure alternate livelihood options for those dependent on natural resources for livelihood security. Indeed livelihoods dependent on natural resources are most sustainable as the failure or unsustainability of industrial economy has shown us.

Government of India under the Modi led government has initiated clean water dispensing stations and clean hygienic toilets including for the gender minorities and differently abled persons which is a laudable initiative. But rural citizens complain that the Rupees 12000 subsidy for individual home owners for toilet construction involves corruption. Many people say almost 75% of this subsidy money has to be given as bribe to the local officials for release of budget for toilet construction. So much for Swatch Bharath!

As for gender equality many issues remain begging for solutions: the lot of maid servants or domestic helpers, remain pathetic.

·         They lack livelihood security,

·         They lack awareness on menstrual hygiene,

·         They are illiterate,

·         They remain employed in what is called unorganised sectors,

·         They don’t have bank accounts,

·         Their measly cash incomes disappear in the first week of the month,

·         They continue to suffer domestic abuse and violence at the hands of family members.

·         They are often roof-less or live in abhorrent slums without access to clean water and sanitation.

·         They suffer from malnutrition and repercussions on reproductive health. Allied disorders like Thyroid and PCOD / PCOS have started plaguing this largely below poverty population. Cholesterol, hypertension and Diabetes will soon follow in a population that is struggling for two square meals a day. Demonstrates that food security is the chord that is the most effective remedy for malnutrition and disease.  

Without food security it is not just the vulnerable impoverished sections who suffer the most, the entire population is vulnerable to disease. Food security is the most fundamental human right… it makes a reality right to life.  

Such social indicators are based on right to universal education. Although India stands at the forefront of many a development index including mid-day meals for rural children from below the poverty line the literacy gap is pitiably low. For a country that flaunts tax evading billionaires, literacy in 2025 is still 77.7% only. This is the grand literacy achievement in 75 years after India got Independence. No need for a political bipartisanship. In the years since NDA has been in power in a Double Engine Sarkar, school going children in UP are simply unable to count beyond 10^th numerical. School drop-out rates continue to shock development professionals.  

“The latest data of school dropout rates in India is based on UDISE+ 2024-25 data which provides downloadable reports for confirmation:

 The Government of India’s UDISE+ 2024-25 also popular as Unified District Information System for Education states that the dropout rates in: 

The preparatory level from 3.7% to 2.3%

The middle level is around 5.2% to 3.5%.

The secondary level from 10.9% to 8.2%.

The ASER or Annual Status of Education Report is often used for tracking enrolment and learning in rural India. Go through the latest ASER 2024 official report for detailed information.” 

 When parents lack literacy and education the impact on children cannot be more than aspirational. Migrant populace’s children are at the receiving end of this lack of development, as migrant parents toil in on daily wages in homeless shelters; children’s education is almost literally on the back burner! Where will they be able to think of Climate Action or wildlife conservation then? Late Mr. Anil Agarwal founder director of Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi was so right in saying “poverty is the montage for development quotient”. The squandering challenge for legislators, governments, NGOs, Media and the erudite citizens cannot be underlined.

Talking of access to development leaves another big gap: inclusive access to mobility impaired populace to every building, to every fruit of development be it a toilet or a tourist destination.  Ramps, grab rails, mono rails, ropeways, preferential access to crowded places like temples, malls etc have to be planned at the drawing stage itself.

Sanitation for fisher folk in coastal fishing villages is a whole challenge in itself. Given the extra caution that needs attention in coastal areas (during costal storms) “Climate Action is most relevant for such vulnerable communities” as Dr. Anil Agarwal repeatedly stressed.

Grab rails are a must for differently abled users likeinthis picture. Clean water and sanitation are a must. 

Toilets have to be wheelchair accessible, with grab rails. Separate ramps and elevators have to be designed on drawings itself.  And WCs have to be at a height of 24 inches from the floor. Flushing toilets have to be fed with recycled grey water with corresponding sanitation infrastructure like tanks, pipes and sumps, floats etc statutorily not just for differently abled populace but everyone.   

You see now how the links of development manifest…. This article on SDGs in Governance will be continued next week.