India continues to be the country practicing highest number of open defecation. Unhygienic environment, resulting from, open defecation causes serious health issues. Apart, from health issues open defecation has been one of the major reasons for sexual crimes committed against women. Hence, open defecation is a serious threat to health and gender discrimination. This paper is written with a serious concern that unnoticed encouragement of open defecation has been result of various stigma caused to human being especially against women. Hence, first, this paper would deal with issues giving rise to open defecation. Second, measures taken in international arena and by Indian government to eradicate open defecation. Third, suggestions are given to overcome the problem of open defecation, finally, bringing in a zero open defecation India. This paper concludes apart from tough governmental plans, awareness program, and monetary support to build individual toilets to family it has emphasized strict penalty for open defecation would reduce practicing open defecation.
Open Defecation, Heath issues, Rape, India
