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Why is Sanitation Education Important?

Everyone deserves access to education about sanitation and hygiene. Learn more about why personal hygiene and sanitation education is so important in schools.

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Why is Sanitation Education Important?

If a young person or child has never been taught about sanitation education, how are they supposed to understand? It is estimated that 2.5 billion people do not have access to a toilet and 1 billion people practice open defecation, which can lead to the spread of deadly diseases.

The lack of sanitation (and diseases linked to that) kill more children each year than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined. But, is it possible that sanitation and education can save lives? Domestos certainly believes that it can, and they are trying to eradicate unsafe sanitation and poor hygiene through their Safer School Sanitation campaign.

Let’s take a look at what Domestos is doing to help raise awareness about this global health crisis and how each of us can help make a difference.

What is Safer Sanitation?

Did you know that over 4000 schools in South Africa still make use of pit toilets for the children? Many learners are still forced to use these crude pit toilets and do not have access to clean water and cleaning products.

Did you know that almost 1 in 10 children miss school to avoid using the toilet? This is especially true for girls who are menstruating.

When children don’t have access to safe sanitation in the form of a flushing toilet and clean water, they are more at risk of contracting serious illnesses and diseases that spread through unsafe sanitation.

How can I help?

Personal hygiene and sanitation education is a right, not a privilege. Education on sanitation is the first step in eradicating unsafe practices.

Brands like Domestos can drive a campaign forward, but it takes everyday people like you and me to make the real change happen.

Join the fight against unsafe sanitation by choosing Domestos. Every time you purchase a 750ml Domestos bleach bottle, R1 will be donated towards helping over 1 million learners gain access to clean and safe toilets.

Sign Up for the Domestos Safer School Campaign and you could also receive R10 off your next purchase of a Domestos Thick Bleach at your favourite retailer.

For more information on hygiene and safer sanitation education, visit Cleanipedia today.

Frequently Asked Questions on Sanitation Education:

Why is hygiene and sanitation education useful?

It can teach children and adults the importance of personal hygiene and safer sanitation practices to avoid the spread of illnesses and even save lives.

How can we maintain sanitation in schools?

Every school (especially those in the rural areas of our country) need support, financially and physically, to create safer toilet facilities for the learners and teachers. You can get involved in campaigns like the Domestos Safer School Sanitation, donate money or products, or get involved physically by donating your time or resources to helping them.

When should children be educated about toilet sanitation?

Children as young as two years old can be taught the simple task of washing hands after going to the toilet. It all begins with personal hygiene practices. Older children can be taught the importance of disinfecting and sanitising bathrooms and how to keep them clean in their homes and at schools too.

What is sanitation education and why is it important?

Sanitation education is about teaching children and adults about safe toilet practices, like using a flushing toilet, washing your hands after using the toilet, and how to effectively clean a toilet and bathroom. When education happens, several issues like the spread of disease, stigmas and false information can be stopped.

How does sanitation affect education?

Many learners actually choose not to go to school because of the poor quality of the toilets. Young girls who are menstruating, would rather stay at home and miss school than have to use poorly equipped facilities. This has a devastating effect on their education because of the number of school days they are missing.

Originally published