Dear Paresh,Thank you again for your thoughtful response. Your point about SwachhBharat Mission was very insightful, and it got me thinking more about what Zambia has done, while it's not explicitly stated as an 'incentive subsidy' or 'toilet subsidy' program, there are indeed some government-led sanitation support initiatives that resonate similarlyHere are a few examples:

• The Lusaka Sanitation Program is a major one. Between 2015 and 2024, this project helped increase access to sanitation services for around 345,000 people in Lusaka (half of whom were women). The reach included both improved sanitation facilities and faecal sludge management services. 
• This programme also introduced affordable financing or support mechanisms in peri-urban areas. For example, in Kanyama, WaterAid and partners used a pre-financing model and discounts to facilitate the construction of household toilets, increasing uptake. 
• The Lusaka Sanitation Program also includes on-site sanitation options for areas not served by sewer networks, subsidies or reduced cost mechanisms, and public facilities (in schools, markets, clinics) to support those with less resources. 

So, yes, Zambia does have efforts that aim to combine enforcement with enabling support. It seems balancing the two is key: enforcement underscores the obligation, but subsidy or support and behaviour change provide the means.

Dear Benny,
Thanks for sharing this. I am reminded of several stories about coercing people to use toilets, especially when phase one of the Swachh Bharat Mission was in implementation (see example ). Under SBM, the government supported the construction of household-level toilets by providing households with an incentive subsidy. Further, community and public toilets were also constructed.

I was wondering if there is any similar government-led effort in Zambia. If yes, it would be great if you could share some details. 

Thanks 
paresh 

As I was scrolling through social media today on the Zambia Reports page, something caught my attention: 12 residents of Kantenshya Ward have been arrested for not having toilets. See article ( here ).  At first, I was shocked, but the more I thought about it, the more I realised this is about more than just arrests.



What does the law say about Toilet ownership?
Zambia's Water Supply & Sanitation Act No. 28 of 1997 and the Public Health Act Chapter 295 of the Laws of Zambia require access to safe, hygienic toilets to protect public health

Why does it matter?

• Lack of toilets= open defecation=cholera, diarrhoea, and other diarrhoeal diseases
• Punishment alone won't change behaviour if communities lack access to necessary infrastructure and resources

As a passionate young WASH advocate, I see this as more than enforcement, it's a ''call to action'', because Communities need real, sustainable solutions such as affordable toilets, hygiene education, and strong local ownership to drive lasting change

Essential Insights:

• Enforcement raises urgency
• Accessible infrastructure + education drives real behaviour change
• Youth voices matter? we can lead advocacy, awareness, and solutions

In summary, when toilets are missing, health suffers and now, freedom too. The Kantenshya arrests show why Zambia and other countries affected by a lack of adequate WASH facilities need more than punishment; of course, through real change comes from safe toilets, education, and community-driven solutions.