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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Culture & Society

Kinshasa residents face humiliation due to severe lack of public toilets

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Residents of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, face a severe lack of public toilets, forcing some into humiliating situations.
  • The absence of facilities is particularly acute in busy urban areas, impacting commuters, traders, and workers.
  • Calls are being made for public authorities to address this basic sanitation need and improve hygiene in the capital.

Access to public toilets remains a significant challenge for many residents in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In numerous neighborhoods and high-traffic areas, these essential facilities are scarce, pushing some individuals into deeply uncomfortable and undignified situations.

I went to the city center one day. I felt the need to relieve myself, but for lack of public toilets, I did my business in my clothes.

— A resident of KinshasaDescribing a personal experience due to the lack of public toilets.

One resident recounted a distressing experience in the city center. "I went to the city center one day. I felt the need to relieve myself, but for lack of public toilets, I did my business in my clothes," he told Radio Okapi reporters, still visibly affected by the memory. He emphasized that the lack of public restrooms in frequently visited places is abnormal and creates considerable difficulty for the public.

The problem is particularly evident along major city arteries such as the Boulevard du 30-Juin in Gombe, the Triomphal, Sendwe, and Lumumba boulevards, and at the Kintambo and Victoire roundabouts. In these areas, people may have to travel long distances without finding an accessible public toilet. Residents urge the government to take responsibility and construct public restrooms to meet this basic human need.

The lack of public toilets in Kinshasa is very complicated. There aren't any.

— A resident of KinshasaExpressing the severity of the public toilet shortage.

Beyond personal comfort, the expansion of public toilets is also seen as crucial for public health and sanitation. Inhabitants are calling for the installation of facilities in markets, major intersections, stations, and other crowded public spaces. They also stress the need for increased involvement from hygiene services to ensure the regular maintenance of these installations, addressing a critical gap in urban infrastructure.

The State should take its responsibilities and build public restrooms to help people relieve themselves in case of emergency or natural need.

— A resident of KinshasaCalling on authorities to address the lack of public sanitation facilities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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