CRY Launches Campaign for Improved Sanitation in Uttar Pradesh

10 Years of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: CRY Participates in ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ Initiative by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

A meeting

Varanasi, October 2 — Child Rights and You (CRY) and Janmitra Nyas successfully conducted a series of sanitation and awareness activities across Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, as part of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign. The initiative, which began in mid-September and concluded in early October, aimed to promote better hygiene practices in various communities, especially focusing on raising water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) awareness among children.

As India marks a decade of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of a clean and healthy India, the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign reinforces the country’s commitment to sustainable sanitation practices. On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, CRY joined hands with local communities to engage in activities that highlighted the importance of clean water and sanitation access, especially for children.

Speaking at the campaign’s closing event, Soha Moitra, Regional Director of CRY-North, emphasized the importance of WASH in children’s lives. “WASH is critical to the health, education, and dignity of children. Access to clean water and proper sanitation protects them from diseases and ensures their school attendance. Lack of adequate facilities directly hampers their growth, with girls being disproportionately affected,” she said. Moitra stressed the need for collaborative efforts between organizations, communities, and local governance to build sustainable WASH systems in schools and communities. “Together, we can provide a safe, clean environment for children,” she added.

She further highlighted the significant impact of poor WASH facilities on marginalized communities, especially in rural areas where access to clean water and proper sanitation is often limited. “Inadequate hygiene leads to higher risks of disease, malnutrition, and, in severe cases, death. The educational impact is also significant, particularly for girls, who may drop out due to a lack of menstrual hygiene facilities,” she noted.

Photos tell the story of the program.

CRY’s participation in the campaign mobilized local communities in Varanasi, with various awareness and engagement activities aimed at promoting better sanitation practices. Janmitra Nyas led the ‘Swabhav Swachhata — Sanskar Swachhata’ campaign from September 17 to October 2, organizing 63 awareness meetings, 10 rallies, and educating over 1,271 people, particularly from the Musahar community, on the importance of hygiene. The campaign also held 116 meetings with government departments, including child development officers, school management committee members, and village officials, to discuss the issue and explore solutions.

CRY’s efforts in the WASH sector have been comprehensive, focusing on evaluating knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sanitation, mapping WASH standards, educating school children about handwashing and menstrual hygiene, raising community awareness about early symptoms of diseases, testing water quality, organizing school health camps, and advocating for community toilets. Specific programs have been implemented in drought-affected areas as well.

Over the past two weeks, CRY collaborated with local communities to bring about lasting changes in habits and WASH facilities, ensuring long-term solutions to these critical issues at the community level.

About CRY Child Rights and You (CRY) is an Indian NGO that works to ensure every child has the right to a childhood — one where they can live, learn, grow, and play. For over 40 years, CRY and its 850 initiatives have helped improve the lives of more than 3,000,000 underprivileged children across 19 states in India.

For more information, visit www.cry.org.

Connect with CRY on social media

• Facebook: CRY India
• Twitter: @CRYINDIA
• Instagram: cry_india
• LinkedIn: CRY Child Rights and You
• YouTube: CRY Child Rights and You