Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages are achievable where Information Education and communication (IEC) is taken as people’s movement. –K.Devendaran, SEVAI.

SEVAI -ODF-IEC Materiual handed over to District Collector by K.Devendran at Pettavaithalai Gramasabha

K.Devendran a field level sanitation functionary of SEVAI, a Trichy based NGO mentioned in a meeting of rural women groups in Arubumhalnagar on the occasion of Gandhi’s birthday celebration and said K.Devendran said “The cleanliness is important in our life as well as for the nation. It is well known that the Mahatma Gandhi personally took the effort to achieve the change that he wanted to see. Teachers’ and students’ role is very important to create awareness on cleanliness. Cleanliness is not only the responsibility of the sanitation worker. It is the responsibility of all Indians. It is the responsibility of the Government officers, NGOs and the local community to make India completely clean. IEC. Information Education Communication (IEC) is used

Mr.K.Rajamani, I A S., Dt.Collector,Trichy

for generating awareness. It means process of working with individuals, communities and  societies to develop communication strategies to promote positive behaviour that are appropriate to their setting is a need of the present; all the people should actively participate to clean India to fulfill the dream of Mahatma Gandhi for the protection of the environment, for our safety, and for a healthy future. The IEC programmes in the water and sanitation sector is to create awareness leading to enhanced involvement of local community at the village level, ensure motivation and skill upgradation of Panchayat members, line department functionaries, Village Water and Sanitation Committee self employed mechanics and masons, school teachers and students, etc”. K.Devendran prepared an ICE hand book and shared that his handbook contains accurate and relevant messages, information and knowledge content under themes personal hygiene, use of toilets, safe storage and handling of water, hand washing after defecation, hand washing before and after taking food and environmental sanitation including management of waste.  This guidance booklet on Menstrual Hygiene Management is intended for adolescent girls and young women. Issues associated with menstruation are never discussed openly and the silence surrounding menstruation burdens young girls by keeping them ignorant of this biological function. Even after the attainment of menarche, very little information is given to young girls about the physiological processes involved and the hygienic practices to be followed.  K.Devendran added, “More people practice open defecation. Clearly accelerating access to and use of toilets and hygiene practices have become a national priority for India as mentioned in Clean India movement. Unsanitary practices, primarily open defecation, and the use of contaminated water remain major causes of child death, disease and malnutrition in India, especially affecting the poor. Individual Health and hygiene is largely dependent on adequate availability of safe drinking water and proper sanitation. There is, therefore, a direct relationship between water, sanitation and health. Consumption of unsafe drinking water, improper disposal of human excreta, improper environmental sanitation and lack of personal and food hygiene are major causes of disease. Prevailing high Infant Mortality Rate is also largely attributed to poor sanitation.  Safe drinking water for health and development is an important goal that has been reflected in national policies and strategies. -Kris