Over the past decade, an alarming trend has emerged in Dhaka, particularly in its more densely populated areas: the widespread occurrence of public urination. Recently, during a visit to the Teacher-Student Center (TSC), I observed that, no matter where we looked, public urination was visibly taking place. My companion and I, being the only two women in the male-dominated group, found this situation particularly distressing. As we searched for a place to answer nature's call, our only option was the public toilet located in the Ramna Kali Temple. It is evident, even to the casual observer, that the said facility is in poor condition, as it is primarily used by women in desperate situations, and none of the women dare to raise concerns about its inadequacies and the men simply do not care about the discomforts of women.
This situation prompts a critical question: If there are public toilets available for use by women, why are so many men engaging in public urination? Why do they not make use of the facilities as well?
Upon inquiry with my circle of said companions, I encountered the typical responses from Bengali men, which are as follows:
1. They claim to be unable to wait and assert that public toilets are "too far away." This reasoning is particularly ironic, as men often regard women as physically "inferior" and incapable of self-sufficiency, yet women are expected to undertake the additional effort to access facilities that men seem unwilling to use. Women are forced to do the extra labor and walk the extra mile.
2. They argue that public toilets are in such poor condition that they cannot bear to use them. This argument exposes a contradiction: while men are unwilling to tolerate unhygienic facilities for themselves, they do not seem to be bothered by subjecting women to the same conditions.
In my attempt to raise awareness about the issue of public urination, I was confronted with a disturbing incident that further highlighted the deep-rooted social issues at play. Late last year, while walking along the street opposite Bailey Road, I witnessed a mother and her young daughter, both appearing to come from a respectable background, strolling ahead of me. After walking for some time, we passed a man urinating in public. Like many others, we instinctively averted our gaze and walked quickly to avoid further discomfort. However, as the mother and daughter passed the man, he turned and flashed his genitals in the direction of the young girl. The mother, clearly shocked, hurriedly picked up her daughter and walked away, unable to voice any objection to the inappropriate and criminal behavior.
Such incidents are, unfortunately, commonplace in Bangladesh. Men who urinate publicly often engage in lewd behavior, such as looking at young girls, either for sexual gratification or because it gives them a sense of power and dominance.
At that moment, I realized that, despite my position as a lawyer, I felt helpless. As a woman, I was powerless in that moment to take action, particularly because public urination had become so normalized that other crimes, such as flashing-especially when directed at minors-are also accepted as part of the same societal dysfunction. When confronted duringflashing, the typical defense offered is that the person "just had to go," thus trivializing the act and undermining the severity of the crime.
According to international laws, public urination is generally deemed illegal. In many Western countries, public urination can result in fines ranging from $100 to $500, and urinating near schools or in the presence of minors can result in the individual being registered as a sex offender. Similarly, under Bangladeshi law, public urination is prohibited. Section 92 of the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009 clearly prohibits public urination and the disposal of fecal matter in public spaces. The act states that anyone who, without the corporation's permission, willfully urinates or disposes of excrement in public spaces, despite the availability of sewage or drainage systems, or in areas not designated for such waste, will be guilty of an offense. The penalty for this infraction is a fine of up to Tk5,000.
Section 92 further specifies that, where no specific fine has been designated for certain infractions, the maximum penalty shall be a fine of Tk5,000. For subsequent offenses, an additional fine of up to Tk500 per day may be imposed, in addition to the base fine of Tk5,000.
The critical question that arises is: If such a law exists and law enforcement is reportedly improving in the country, why is this law not being enforced? The simple answer to this is that many law enforcement officers themselves engage in public urination, even in front of signs directing them towards toilets.
Public urination is illegal in numerous countries for several important reasons. It contributes to the spread of disease, creates unpleasant odors, and diminishes the overall cleanliness of public spaces. In the context of Dhaka, however, it has also led to the normalization of other offenses, such as flashing, particularly in public areas where minors are present. Furthermore, the neglect of public toilets has reached a point where the lack of hygienic facilities serves as a barrier for women seeking to work or engage in daily activities outside the home.
Thus, the issue of public urination is not merely about cleanliness or public health. It is intricately linked to larger societal problems, including gender inequality, the normalization of criminal behavior, and a lack of accountability among both citizens and law enforcement. The urgent need for legal reforms, better enforcement of existing laws, and the provision of adequate public facilities cannot be overstated.
The writer is a student of University of London and Intern at The Legal Circle
