BBC recognition for the cause, not for me, says 'Right to Pee' activist

Mumtaz Shaikh, the sanitation activist who is leading the Right to Pee movement in Mumbai, has made it to the BBC list of 100 most aspirational women. Talking to dna's Santosh Andhale, Shaikh says the recognition is not for her as an individual but for the cause. "This campaign is now a public property. We are just a part of the movement. We want every woman to get her space in the city with dignity and respect," says the firebrand who has fought a long battle to get free facilities for women through the Right to Pee network. As a result of her effort, 96 toilets were built in the city, which the women can use free of cost, while the government has set aside Rs50 million to build female-only urinals. Edited excerpts from the conversation:

How will you take this movement forward?
I am happy that BBC recognised the cause. It will help spread awareness among the people. The campaign is not restricted to Mumbai now. It is gradually spreading to Vidarbha and Sangli. Apart from that, other states are also taking a keen interest. Our job now is to give direction to the movement and fight with unity. Recently, we started another campaign called Right to City. Every woman has a right to have her space in the city, get respect and feel safe. Soon, this movement will also spread across the county.

When this campaign began, some people laughed. What is the message for them now?
It's absolutely true. On May 5, 2011, when we decided to start the campaign, some people, especially men, laughed at us. But when we explained the issue to them, they started supporting us. Gradually, as people understood the importance of the issue, they not only supported us but also started participating in the campaign actively.

How do you look at the success of the last four years?
This is only the beginning and there is a long way to go. At many public places, especially at railway stations, women still have to pay for using toilets. This needs to stop immediately. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had issued a circular in this regard and had also made a provision in the budget for the cause. For the last four years, as many as 32 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been fighting for free urinal facilities for women. At most public toilets, the facilities are free for men. Besides that, there is a severe shortage of public toilets in the city, and our NGOs' long-pending demand has been to increase the number of public toilets for women. The solid waste management department had issued a circular to ward offices to identifying locations where toilets can come up, but nothing has happened till now.

How has been the government response to the campaign?
In the first two-and-a-half years, BMC did not take the issue seriously. But now they have at least started a dialogue with us. We have not received any response from the state government till now. It's high time. How long should we continue to battle against the government for our basic rights? We want to know why the issue hasn't been solved yet. Why should women have to pay for a facility that is provided free of cost to men? All we have been given are assurances so far. Nothing has moved forward.

What about your family?
Everybody is happy for me, and a lot of relatives and friends support the cause.

Do you have any plans to enter politics?
Yes, I am definitely planning to enter politics. What can achieve what we want more easily if we are part of the system. I will enter politics not for power but to solve people's issues.