Expert Talk on Process & Functioning of Public Policy with special focus on urban sanitation & WASH (Women)
Event Date: 5/28/2025
The School of Liberal Education & School of Languages organized an enriching expert talk on the “Process and Functioning of Public Policy with Special Focus on Urban Sanitation and WASH (Women)” on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The Resource person was Ms. Pooja Ravi, a distinguished public policy consultant from KPMG. This interactive session aimed at building an understanding among students about the practical framework and challenges in public policy formulation and implementation, especially in the domain of urban sanitation and women-centric WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiatives.
Welcome Address by Dean Prof. (Dr.) Anuradha Parasar
The session began with a warm welcome address by Prof. (Dr.) Anuradha Parasar, Dean, School of Liberal Education & School of Languages. She highlighted the significance of exposing students to real-world policy frameworks and the role of industry-academic dialogue in shaping informed citizens and future leaders.
Key Highlights of the Session
Public Policy Framework & Sanitation:
Ms. Ravi began by outlining the structure and flow of public policy processes in India, with a strong focus on collaborative governance involving stakeholders from the government, private sector, and civil society.
Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U):
A substantial part of the lecture revolved around the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Ms. Ravi elaborated on:
The shift from SBM-U to SBM-U 2.0
Its alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2: "Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls."
The ambitious target of achieving “Garbage-Free Cities” by 2026 in all 4,372 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
- SBM-U 2.0 Objectives:
- 100% door-to-door waste collection
- 100% waste segregation at source
- Scientific disposal of solid and liquid waste
- Wastewater treatment and sustainable management
- Maintaining Open Defecation Free (ODF)++ status
KPMG's Role in SBM-U:
Ms. Ravi shared insights into KPMG's consultancy and implementation support for the mission, including:
- Capacity building of urban local bodies
- Technical and policy support
- Designing behavior change communication strategies
- Special emphasis on gender-sensitive sanitation planning
WASH (Women) – A Focused Discussion:
The session saw a deep dive into WASH-related issues concerning women’s health, dignity, and safety, particularly in urban slum areas. The conversation addressed:
- Gaps in sanitation infrastructure for women
- Need for menstrual hygiene management (MHM)
- Security and privacy in public toilets
- Institutional challenges and misuse of infrastructure
Student Interaction and Debates
The Q&A session was highly engaging, with students raising pertinent questions around:
- Misuse and poor maintenance of sanitation facilities
- The effectiveness of current waste segregation campaigns
- The role of youth in creating awareness and sustaining the movement
These questions led to intense yet constructive debates, especially regarding women's right to safe sanitation and hygiene, evolving into thought-provoking perspectives on policy gaps and grassroots-level realities.
Conclusion
The lecture by Ms. Pooja Ravi proved to be an insightful blend of academic learning and practical knowledge. Her experience from the field and role in shaping and supporting public policies offered students a realistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities in urban sanitation and gender-based policy planning. The event successfully bridged the gap between policy intent and ground implementation, inspiring the students to critically evaluate and engage with the processes that define public policy in India.
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