Satyanarayanamma drives Sanitation Success in Ponnapalli

In the heart of Narsapur town, Andhra Pradesh, lies Ponnapalli ward, a community once defined by vulnerability and the prevalence of open defecation. A large slum population with limited access to basic sanitation services had accepted open defecation as the norm. Yet, amidst this environment, one woman, Satyanarayanamma, refused to accept the status quo. A fisherwoman and mother of two, Satyanarayanamma, who is differently abled due to polio, became a force of change in her community. Her personal experience with the illness made her deeply aware of the importance of sanitation, driving her to make a difference not only for her family but for the entire ward.

Driving the change

Satyanarayanamma’s journey started when she joined the Gender Forum, a local NGO dedicated to raising awareness about sanitation and hygiene among women. Alongside other Forum members, she led discussions on menstrual hygiene, toilet usage, and hand washing, working tirelessly to engage her neighbours in the battle for a cleaner, healthier environment. Initially, it was very difficult to convince the local community to adopt safe sanitation practices and maintain personal hygiene. However, with local women like Satyanarayanamma leading the charge, the effort slowly began to gain momentum. Their sanitation audits and discussions on faecal sludge management and gender friendly services helped address specific concerns, empowering the community to take charge.

Thanks to their tireless work, Ponnapalli ward achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, a milestone for the town and an enduring testament to the power of grassroots mobilization.

Source : Stories of change - A Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban 2.0 initiative