The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation issued Guidelines on Gender issues in sanitation on 3rd April 2017. In addition to focusing on girls, women, boys and men; one of the interesting features of the guidelines is the recognition of the third gender. It has been instructed that transgender people must be allowed to use public toilets designated for both men and women, depending on their choice. The statement asked the Swachh Bharat Mission to ensure that members of the transgender community are recognised as equal citizens.