Sulabh International Social Service Organisation

Founded in 1970 by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Sulabh’s contribution in the field of sanitation is both monumental in scale and historical in its application of human rights framing to sanitation. Dr. Pathak’s foray into sanitation was in response to tackle the deep-rooted discrimination, abuse, and stigma faced by a community of people – known as manual scavengers – who cleaned dry latrines manually and were labeled as untouchables. In its 50 years of public service, Sulabh International has worked to achieve equitable sanitation and hygiene for all. It has been in the forefront of the Government of India’s flagship Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign) with a focus on ending open defecation. It has built over 1.5 million household toilets and has been awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2016.