Some 300 girls and women in India still practise open defecation. Over half the country’s population, 800 million people, do not have access to a toilet that meets basic standards. (Photo by Poulomi Basu/WaterAid)

Kajal Gautam (16) with her close friend and cousin Sarita Gautam (17) walk in the evening to a toilet in an open defecation area of the village, Nihura Basti, Kanpur. (Photo by Poulomi Basu/WaterAid)

An open defecation area next to the Indian army camp, Nihura Basti, Kanpur. (Photo by Poulomi Basu/WaterAid)

Kajal’s family tried to build a toilet in their home in in Nihura, a slum located on defence land in Kanpur but it was torn down as new construction is forbidden in the illegal settlement. WaterAid has restored community toilets nearby, but there is a nominal fee towards upkeep and many people still don’t use them, because of extreme poverty or simply because they are used to defecating in the open. Kajal’s family say they can’t afford to pay to use latrines because they have to pay school fees, so instead they relieve themselves in the open, putting the girls at increased risk of humiliation, harassment, attack and even rape. (Photo by Poulomi Basu/WaterAid)

Kajal Gautam (16) washes her hands whilst preparing food with her sister Pooja (17) and mother Suman Gautam (35) in Nihura Basti, Kanpur. (Photo by Poulomi Basu/WaterAid)

Dirty water used for food preparation in Kajal Gautam's kitchen, Nihura Basti, Kanpur. (Photo by Poulomi Basu/WaterAid)

Kajal: “I go to the toilet in nearby fields. How can you like it when there are lots of men around when you go to the toilet? “When I go to the toilet, people make remarks and I get annoyed. It’s also not very safe. A five-year-old girl was taken by some boys when coming back from the toilet so I don’t go on my own. I usually go with my sister or cousin”. (Photo by Poulomi Basu/WaterAid)

“I would like to have a toilet in the house. But if not, I would at least like to use the community toilets so I wouldn’t have to go outside”. (Photo by Poulomi Basu/WaterAid)

Tooth brushes stored between stones in the wall at Kajal Gautam's home, Nihura Basti, Kanpur. (Photo by Poulomi Basu/WaterAid)

Kajal Gautam (16) prepares food for her family at home, Nihura Basti, Kanpur. (Photo by Poulomi Basu/WaterAid)