Initially I couldn't believe the number of people who own cell phones so outnumbers those who have a toilet, and moreover, that some people apparently prefer the phone as a status symbol. However, I would also be curious to know who exactly owns those cell phones, whether it is people in slums, within the city, or in the rural areas, and in addition, how many of the people do or do not have access to toilets.
The "No Toilet, No Bride" campaign certainly makes sense if the only goal is to see more toilets built. But I think it may also underestimate the more negative ideas being reinforced, that is, women bargaining themselves for a basic facility that most people in the western world take for granted. Nonetheless, as this isn't the west, it feels petty to argue with the very successful results, 27 percent to 90 percent in the last five years, a million toilets, that have come from the campaign. Clearly there is empowerment that comes from women making such demands and having them be fulfilled, but it also seems as if women are regarding themselves as a scarce commodity that can be bought by a toilet. Nonetheless, this is bigger than the immediate scope at hand of obtaining sanitation, and perhaps that should be the only focus.
Thanks for the informative article about a subject not often talked about!

Thank you for this article. I was not aware that Germany was so progressive in regards to the environment, and can serve as an example and starting point for many countries.
I absolutley agree that more attention, translating into action, must be paid to nuclear energy around the world. Japan's cataclysmic event has grabbed many people's attention, but how long will this last? What does it say that a devastating tragedy is necessary to address this pivotal issue?
On a different note, my main concern with alternative energy, as voiced briefly in the article, is the expense factor. Being environmentally conscientious is often not affordable or feasible for the greater part of the population. How can this be addressed?
And should we expect developing countries to adhere to stringent environmental standards, when developed countries have attained development in the past completely disregarding industry's effects on the environment?

The point Nuhu Ribadu makes about outsourcing prosecutions to the U.S. made me think of Sudanese President al-Bashir's recent visit to Chad. Although Chad is an ICC (International Criminal Court) member state, its president warmly welcomed al-Bashir, despite an arrest warrant for him issued by the ICC. It is disconcerting how little accountability so many African leaders and politicans face, and so it is encouraging to hear about individuals such as Ribadu who are working to change that.