【明報專訊】Prior to having children, I would reflect on what a decent home meant to me personally. As a young, single woman, the importance of a decent home was measured for its level of privacy. A home with sturdy walls, a secure roof, a lockable door, a clean water supply, access to a toilet and a bathing area, represented privacy. It would prevent me from having to bathe wearing a sarong or lungi in a river or by a tube well, to ensure modesty and not have to conduct this daily activity in front of members of my community or strangers that happened to be passing. It would prevent me from having to carry my dirty laundry — including underwear — and washing it in a similarly public fashion. It would prevent me from getting heard when having personal, potentially difficult or emotional conversations.