Eradicating Manual Scavenging

Source: PIB
GS I: Social Justice

Overview

1. Manual Scavenging
2. Major Challenges

Why in the News?

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) organised an open house discussion on ‘Dignity and Liberty of the Individuals- Rights of Manual Scavengers’.

Manual Scavenging

• About: Manual scavenging refers to the practice of physically handling or cleaning human excreta by individuals.  
  • It involves manual cleaning of human excreta from insanitary toilets, open drains, pits, or railway tracks. 
• Current Status: In 2021, India recorded 58,098 manual scavengers, with women comprising 75% of them. 
  • As on 31st July, 2024, out of 766 districts in the country, 732 districts have reported themselves as manual scavenging-free. 
• Violation of Fundamental Rights: Manual scavenging violates fundamental rights, especially article 17 (abolition of untouchability) and article 21 (Right to life with dignity). 

Major Challenges

• Health: Manual scavengers are frequently exposed to human waste, which contains numerous pathogens.
  • This exposure makes them highly susceptible to diseases such as Hepatitis, tetanus, and cholera.
  • The presence of poisonous gases like hydrogen sulphide in septic tanks poses a serious risk of asphyxiation, which can lead to sudden death.
  • According to the government data, 377 persons have died from 2019 to 2023 due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
• Social Stigma: Manual scavengers are stigmatized and treated as untouchables, reinforcing social exclusion and perpetuating the caste system.
• Economic Challenges: Manual scavengers are paid meager amounts, often below the minimum wage, keeping them trapped in a cycle of poverty.
  • They are employed on a contractual or daily-wage basis, without job security or benefits.
• Double Discrimination: Women, who form a significant portion of manual scavengers, face double discrimination in the form of gender and inequality such as sexual harassment and exploitation, alongside societal stigma.
• Psychological Issues: The social stigma attached to the profession often causes significant mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression.
• Drug Use: To cope with the stress and stigma of their precarious work, many manual scavengers resort to drug use, which further exacerbates their health problems.

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