about the gallery

State governments have struggled to maintain public toilets, which are often poorly lit, unmanned, and ill-maintained. These too are mostly used by men, with women -- fearing for their safety -- going long hours without using such facilities. For a relatively affordable five-rupee-fee, any woman can board one of several women-only "washroom-on-wheels" dotting the city of Pune, where a pair of entrepreneurs has transformed run-down buses into hop-on toilets, allowing women to safely and hygienically use the facilities, breastfeed babies or purchase sanitary napkins and diapers.