Breaking barriers

Women in Uttar Pradesh take on crucial roles at faecal sludge treatment plants SUBRATA CHAKRABORTY AND ALKA KUMARI

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WHEN APARNA Sahu joined the faecal sludge treatment plant (FSTP) in her city, Jaunpur, in March this year, her family and friends were less than supportive. "They had concerns over my safety as well as the social implications of working with faecal sludge. They assumed I would work for a couple of days and quit," recalls Sahu, a sociology graduate. But now, as she nears six months as a supervisor at the plant, all doubts have vanished. "The confidence and financial stability I have earned has changed opinions," she says.