WaterAid launched an innovative app launched to easily locate public toilets across Bangladesh
For daily commuters, especially women, children and the elderly, finding usable toilets on the road is a major challenge, and often a health and security concern. This Public Toilet Bangladesh app allows users to find their nearest toilets quickly and easily based on their GPS location or through direct searches. It also provides information on features and facilities – such as whether a toilet has separate chambers for men and women, whether it is accessible for persons with disabilities, etc. Photos and rating features allow anyone to check toilet conditions before use and write reviews to help other users find the best service, while also motivating service providers to maintain quality and cleanliness.
The app currently lists toilet locations across four major highways and selected areas of Dhaka city. New toilets can also be added to the existing list on the app through a few simple steps.
Inaugurating the launching ceremony as Chief Guest, Dr Zafar Ahmed Khan, Senior Secretary, Local Government Division, Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Co-operatives, encouraged everyone to use the app to map all publicly accessible toilets in the country, and emphasised the many benefits of expanding the app’s reach.
Ms Zuena Aziz, Secretary, Information and Communication Technology Division, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, applauded the app as an innovative ICT-based solution in her speech as Special Guest.
Md Khairul Islam, Country Director of WaterAid, spoke on the importance of covering all public toilets through this app to improve the quality of public sanitation services in his welcome note. He also shared that this app is a collective endeavor and will only succeed with everyone’s active contribution and the government's support.
WaterAid has been working with city corporations and local authorities to renovate and build public toilets in Dhaka city and beyond (Sylhet, Khulna, Chattogram) for over 5 years now, and has supported the development of this app to make public sanitation readily available and accessible to all.
To download the app, click below or simply scan the QR code:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=softworks.com.toilettracker
