Publication: Ecological Sanitation : Social Factors Impacting Use of EcoSan in Rural Indonesia
Date
2010-06
ISSN
Published
2010-06
Author(s)
Albrecht, Martin
Blackett, Isabel
Arianto, Ikabul
Abstract
Access to improved sanitation remains a
huge challenge in Indonesia. Joint Monitoring Program (JMP)
2010 data indicate that around 38 percent of the rural
population has access to improved sanitation services and
that open defecation remains a widespread practice for over
60 million Indonesians. The persistence of old habits and a
lack of awareness form the basis of many challenges in the
Indonesian sanitation sector. To change this situation there
is a need to focus on changing sanitation and hygiene
behavior within communities, in addition to increasing
investment in sanitation services. The majority of
Indonesians are Muslims (88 percent), and Islamic teachings
provide instruction and guidance on sanitation habits and
behaviors. The teaching requires that running water, if
available, should be used for anal cleansing and certain
materials, including human excreta and urine, are regarded
as najis (ritually unclean). Apart from the
'natural' feelings of disgust that most people
express towards human excreta which result in anal
cleansing, Islam requires ritual cleansing after being in
contact with materials that are considered to be najis.
However, the use of water for anal cleansing also appears to
be a cultural habit as non-Muslim Indonesians also use water
for anal cleansing, a fact confirmed by the study results.
Citation
“Albrecht, Martin; Blackett, Isabel; Arianto, Ikabul. 2010. Ecological Sanitation : Social Factors Impacting Use of EcoSan in Rural Indonesia. Water and Sanitation Program : Learning Note. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/89697cc7-58ac-5501-8e28-68f451dd36e9 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”