Summary

Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) is an important emerging area of work and the related solutions are gradually gaining traction with various state governments in India. However, the sustainability of such efforts requires Behaviour Change and Communication (BCC) to create a supportive environment and establish ownership towards safe sanitation among all stakeholders. In an effort to promote a positive behaviour change towards sanitation, the Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN) attempted to give a human face to sanitation by creating Kakkaman(meaning Shit-Man), the state’s own sanitation mascot. A BCC campaign centred on the fun and friendly ‘Kakkaman’ has been developed to take key messages on FSM and the full cycle of sanitation (FCS) to the people of the state.