The issue of inadequate and inappropriate bathroom facilities has a significant impact on the lives of numerous women and girls worldwide. This study addresses the widespread oversight in toilet design that continuously ignores the special sanitation needs of women due to their physiology, reproductive health, cultural expectations, and vulnerability to assault. A novel norm for feminine-friendly toilet design that promotes self-assurance, safety, and dignity must be established right away. This paradigm change includes specialized answers for menstrual hygiene, personal security, and respectful usage. The study also emphasizes how important good bathroom hygiene is for preventing the spread of pathogens and how important odor control is for maintaining societal standards of cleanliness. While traditional flush toilets improved hygiene, insufficient cleaning, disinfection, and hygiene practices lead to persistent pathogen exposure. Through flushing-generated aerosols and contaminated surfaces, the buildup of biofilm in toilet bowls, urinals, and sinks cultivates germs and odors, creating dangers. Automatic toilet bowl cleaners are one example of an innovation that shows promise in reducing pathogen dispersion. To stop the spread of bacteria and viruses, however, comprehensive solutions integrating sanitation in public restrooms are necessary. Notably, ventilation and flushing—which have higher water and energy costs—are used to control odors in restrooms. To guide focused efforts for infection prevention, a rigorous risk assessment is essential. This study, carried out from the perspective of a product designer, orchestrates a thorough comprehension of the situation. With the use of data gathering, site visits, interviews, and visual recording, a focus on the difficulties working and traveling women confront develops. Data was extensively collected from secondary sources, and for primary data collection—field visits at malls, metro stations, restaurants, and markets were conducted apart from interviewing 25 participants. The four main problems identified from primary study were—sanitation, safety, non-availability of bag hangers, and odor. With a transformative approach, a suite of innovative concepts materializes, culminating in a solution-oriented product that addresses fundamental issues of hygiene, safety, and accessibility. This study advances the discourse on public sanitation, accentuating the role of female-centric design in championing the health and well-being of women.

Women Hygiene in Public Spaces—Design Explorations

会议论文
发表日期：

2026年

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Nida Khan,
Naveen Rampal,
Deepshikha

摘要

The issue of inadequate and inappropriate bathroom facilities has a significant impact on the lives of numerous women and girls worldwide. This study addresses the widespread oversight in toilet design that continuously ignores the special sanitation needs of women due to their physiology, reproductive health, cultural expectations, and vulnerability to assault. A novel norm for feminine-friendly toilet design that promotes self-assurance, safety, and dignity must be established right away. This paradigm change includes specialized answers for menstrual hygiene, personal security, and respectful usage. The study also emphasizes how important good bathroom hygiene is for preventing the spread of pathogens and how important odor control is for maintaining societal standards of cleanliness. While traditional flush toilets improved hygiene, insufficient cleaning, disinfection, and hygiene practices lead to persistent pathogen exposure. Through flushing-generated aerosols and contaminated surfaces, the buildup of biofilm in toilet bowls, urinals, and sinks cultivates germs and odors, creating dangers. Automatic toilet bowl cleaners are one example of an innovation that shows promise in reducing pathogen dispersion. To stop the spread of bacteria and viruses, however, comprehensive solutions integrating sanitation in public restrooms are necessary. Notably, ventilation and flushing—which have higher water and energy costs—are used to control odors in restrooms. To guide focused efforts for infection prevention, a rigorous risk assessment is essential. This study, carried out from the perspective of a product designer, orchestrates a thorough comprehension of the situation. With the use of data gathering, site visits, interviews, and visual recording, a focus on the difficulties working and traveling women confront develops. Data was extensively collected from secondary sources, and for primary data collection—field visits at malls, metro stations, restaurants, and markets were conducted apart from interviewing 25 participants. The four main problems identified from primary study were—sanitation, safety, non-availability of bag hangers, and odor. With a transformative approach, a suite of innovative concepts materializes, culminating in a solution-oriented product that addresses fundamental issues of hygiene, safety, and accessibility. This study advances the discourse on public sanitation, accentuating the role of female-centric design in championing the health and well-being of women.