Sanitation, Social Inequality and Sustainable Development: A Sociological Analysis Using NFHS-5 Evidence from Uttar Pradesh and Lucknow District

Author(s)	Prof. Manish K. Verma, Ashish Kumar Verma
Country	India
Abstract	Access to sanitation is a fundamental human necessity; however, in India, it remains unevenly distributed, influenced by social hierarchies, the urban-rural divide, and gender-specific vulnerabilities. This study utilizes data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) (2019-21) focusing on Uttar Pradesh and its district Lucknow, to explore how sanitation access is intertwined with health, nutrition, gender equality, and sustainable development, particularly in relation to Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) and other related goals. A sociological approach is employed, incorporating conflict theory, feminist viewpoints, and structural functionalism to analyze the quantitative data. The research reveals that despite advancements in sanitation, notable disparities continue in Uttar Pradesh and Lucknow, as evident in varying health and nutritional outcomes, gender-specific sanitation shortcomings, and urban-rural disparities. The policy recommendations emphasize the need for profound behavioral changes, governance at the community level, and addressing structural inequalities beyond merely providing the necessary infrastructure
Keywords	Sanitation, social inequality, NFHS-5, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, SDG 6, gender, nutrition.
Field	Sociology
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-11-25
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.61681
Short DOI	https://doi.org/hbcnt8

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