Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) is an approach to improving sanitation that aims to trigger a sustained, community-wide change in sanitation behaviour. Unlike traditional sanitation programs that focus on providing subsidies for toilets, CLTS emphasizes collective action and self-responsibility. Initiated in Bangladesh in 2000 by Kamal Kar, CLTS gained prominence as a cost-effective and scalable solution to address the global sanitation crisis, particularly in rural areas where open defecation is prevalent. It moves away from a supply-driven approach to a demand-driven one, empowering communities to analyze their sanitation situation and collectively find solutions.
Understanding the CLTS Approach
CLTS is based on the premise that shame and disgust, rather than subsidies, are the most powerful motivators for behaviour change. The core principle is to trigger a ‘total sanitation’ campaign, where the entire community commits to becoming open defecation free (ODF). This is achieved through a participatory process that involves:
- Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA): Facilitators guide the community through a series of exercises to analyze their current sanitation practices, the consequences of open defecation (health, dignity, economic), and the potential benefits of improved sanitation.
- Shame and Disgust Mapping: Communities map areas where people defecate, highlighting the proximity to food, water sources, and homes. This visually demonstrates the health risks and indignity associated with open defecation.
- Collective Action Planning: Once the community understands the problem, they collectively plan and implement solutions, including building toilets, improving hygiene practices, and establishing mechanisms for sustaining ODF status.
Key Features & Methodology
CLTS differs significantly from traditional sanitation approaches in several ways:
| Feature | Traditional Approach | CLTS Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Supply-driven (toilet construction) | Demand-driven (behaviour change) |
| Role of Community | Passive recipient | Active participant and leader |
| Subsidies | Often heavily subsidized | Minimal or no subsidies |
| Technology | Focus on specific toilet technologies | Community chooses appropriate technologies |
Impact and Successes
CLTS has been implemented in over 50 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Some notable successes include:
- Bangladesh: Where CLTS originated, it has contributed to a significant reduction in open defecation rates.
- India: The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) – Gramin, launched in 2014, heavily incorporated CLTS principles, leading to the declaration of ODF status for many districts and states. (Statistic: As of December 2023, India has declared itself ODF, though sustaining ODF status remains a challenge - Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India)
- Mozambique: CLTS helped achieve rapid progress in sanitation coverage in rural areas.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite its successes, CLTS faces several challenges:
- Sustainability: Maintaining ODF status requires ongoing behaviour change communication and monitoring.
- Equity: Vulnerable groups (e.g., the elderly, disabled) may be left behind if their needs are not addressed.
- Technical Support: Communities may require technical assistance in constructing safe and durable toilets.
- Focus on Toilet Construction: Sometimes, the focus shifts solely to toilet construction, neglecting other aspects of sanitation like handwashing and waste management.
Recent adaptations of CLTS, such as Community-Led Total Sanitation and Hygiene (CLTSH), address these limitations by integrating hygiene promotion and behaviour change communication into the process.
Conclusion
The CLTS approach represents a paradigm shift in sanitation programming, emphasizing community ownership and collective action. While it has proven effective in triggering rapid sanitation improvements, sustaining these gains requires a holistic approach that addresses equity, technical support, and long-term behaviour change. Continued innovation and adaptation of CLTS principles, like the integration of hygiene and waste management, are crucial for achieving universal sanitation coverage and improving public health.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.