Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) is a transformative methodology aimed at mobilizing communities to eliminate open defecations through collective behavior change rather than external hardware subsidies. Originating in Bangladesh in the early 2000s, CLTS has since spread to more than 60 countries, playing a critical role in improving sanitation and hygiene, particularly in rural areas. At its core, CLTS empowers communities to take ownership of their sanitation challenges, leading to sustainable improvements in health, dignity, and overall quality of life.
What is Community-Led Total Sanitation?
Community-Led Total Sanitation is an approach that emphasizes community involvement in diagnosing and solving their sanitation issues. It rejects the traditional top-down model of providing toilets and instead facilitates a process in which local people analyze the health risks of poor sanitation and take collective action to become open defecation free (ODF).
The key technique used in CLTS is “triggering,” a process that stirs emotions such as shame, disgust, or pride to motivate communities to stop open defecation. Facilitators use participatory tools like mapping exercises, walk-of-shame tours, and discussions on fecal-oral contamination routes to raise awareness. Once communities recognize the impact of their sanitation habits, they are inspired to take action, build latrines, and maintain hygiene practices without external financial support.
The Power of Behavioral Change
One of the most powerful elements of CLTS is its focus on behavioral change. Traditional sanitation programs often fail because they focus solely on infrastructure—providing toilets without addressing the underlying behaviors or cultural beliefs that lead to open defecation. CLTS, by contrast, taps into social norms, peer pressure, and community pride.
This approach transforms sanitation from an individual issue to a shared responsibility. Once a few members of a community start adopting better practices, others often follow due to social influence. In many cases, local leaders emerge organically and play a crucial role in sustaining momentum. Villages often celebrate their ODF status with pride, which further reinforces positive behavior and discourages backsliding.
The Role of Local Leadership and Participation
CLTS thrives on strong local leadership and the active participation of all community members, including women, children, and marginalized groups. Local leaders such as elders, teachers, and health workers are essential in mobilizing communities and maintaining accountability. Their involvement ensures that the message resonates with cultural values and social dynamics.
Importantly, CLTS promotes inclusivity. The participatory nature of the process ensures that no group is left behind, and solutions are tailored to the community’s specific needs and capacities. Community members often innovate low-cost latrine designs using locally available materials, which enhances ownership and sustainability.
Furthermore, CLTS encourages communities to form local sanitation committees to monitor progress, provide support, and ensure that everyone adheres to ODF commitments. These committees often work in tandem with local governments and NGOs, helping to institutionalize improvements and expand the program to neighboring areas.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Despite its success, CLTS faces several challenges. Some communities may struggle to maintain ODF status over time, especially in the absence of follow-up support or in areas with extreme poverty. The emphasis on shaming as a motivational tool has also sparked ethical concerns, particularly when it disproportionately affects vulnerable individuals.
Additionally, without proper training and facilitation, triggering can fail to produce lasting behavior change. Poor-quality latrines built without technical guidance may be abandoned, leading to a return to open defecation. Monitoring and evaluation systems are also often weak, making it difficult to track real impact.
To overcome these hurdles, governments and development agencies need to invest in ongoing support, capacity-building, and integration of CLTS into broader water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) strategies. Strengthening partnerships with local health services and educational institutions can also reinforce messages about hygiene and health, ensuring more durable outcomes.
In conclusion, Community-Led Total Sanitation represents a powerful grassroots approach to one of the world’s most pressing public health issues. By centering the community in the process and promoting behavior change rather than simply infrastructure, CLTS fosters long-lasting improvements in sanitation and quality of life. With proper support and ethical implementation, it has the potential to bring about a future where open defecation is not just reduced but eliminated through the power of people themselves.
