Take a seat or take a stand with Domestos
Proper sanitation is linked to good health, dignity, and prosperity. That’s why we believe all toilets are precious and should be treated like gold.
True to this belief, we continue to uplift schools in disadvantaged communities, ensuring everyone has access to their basic human right to proper sanitation.
We’re taking a united stand against unsafe sanitation. We will use our voice and resources to be a force for change in creating a healthier environment and brighter future for all – one clean toilet at a time.
A voice for safer school sanitation
Domestos’ tune is no different this World Toilet Day, but it is louder. We’re amplifying the call for change even louder to bring in more hands and feet behind this cause. But we know we must lead by example.
South African schools, where young minds are nurtured and futures are shaped, continue to be plagued by this sanitation crisis. One that has a detrimental knock-on effect on learning abilities, confidence, and overall health. The statistics are devasting, and the need to continue to take action is pressing.
When a child is denied access to a safe and clean school toilet, their ability to learn and reach their full potential may be seriously hampered.
A case for change
Picture this:
It's 8:30 a.m., and 9-year-old you has just finished their first lesson.
You're not feeling well. Maybe it's the supper you had last night - you don't know. You need to use the restroom before you proceed to your next lesson. That part you're sure about.
You pause nervously as the vivid reminder of the state of your school toilet sets in. You bite your nails and tap your foot anxiously, and fear begins to envelop your body in a matter of seconds.
Your mind begins to flood with questions. Is there toilet paper today? Will the toilets flush? But that's not even the half of it.
The toilet seats are broken.
Dirt litters the floor.
Doors can't completely close shut.
A breeze often rushes in through the space where the windows used to be.
It's an uncomfortable place, and you must make a decision - relief or dignity?
It shouldn't be this hard.
The story in numbers
Believe it or not, that is not a hypothetical scenario for millions of children in South Africa.
Research found that children are reluctant to use toilets at school due to their state and the feeling associated with using them. Naturally, this leads to physical discomfort and poor concentration during lessons, and, in some cases, absenteeism.
9 in 10 South African children face issues with their school toilets.
1 in 10 children say they skip snacks, lunch or a drink to avoid using the toilet at school.
8 in 10 children reported cleanliness as an issue in school toilets, including unflushed toilets, wet floors, and urine or faeces on the seat or floor.
How we’re winning the war
Being a brand synonymous with household cleaning and hygiene, statistics this shocking provoke us to roll up ourselves and get our hands dirty.
Since 2010, we’ve been unstoppable in bringing schools safer sanitation. Although we’ve won the victory for 8 million children, the war is not over.
For Domestos, World Toilet Day highlights the need to provide more toilets and keep the existing ones well-maintained so that every child can look forward to a safe and clean toilet – every time.
Toilets loss, a term coined by Domestos, is the lack of investment in proper cleaning and maintenance that causes a toilet to become dirty, unsafe, and unusable quickly.
We recognise that providing sanitary facilities for schools is not enough. Toilets also need TLC with regular cleaning and maintenance. If not, they degenerate and lose their ability to function.
Through our World Toilet Day initiatives, we aim to raise awareness, educate, and take action to shine a light on the value of a clean and safe toilet and revolutionise the way they are treated.
We’re ensuring that more children have access to clean, hygienic school facilities – safeguarding their health and providing an environment that enables academic success and a brighter future.
How you can be a champion for change
You can play your part in the fight against unsafe sanitation. Here are ways to roll up your sleeves and get involved this World Toilet Day:
Spread the word: Use your social media platforms to educate others about the effects of toilet loss and the importance of proper sanitation practices. Follow Domestos to find and share this content.
Join the movement. Take the pledge.
Volunteer: Follow the voice urging you to contribute on a deeper level by volunteering for activities related to sanitation projects.
Support: Choose Domestos to support safer school sanitation while caring for your own space.
Be a voice for the voiceless: Only 1 in 6 (15%) children said they have spoken to an adult (parent, teacher, or cleaner) about how bad the school toilets are.
Take a seat or take a stand
Gear up to take a seat or take a stand against unsafe sanitation and make the world cleaner and healthier, one toilet at a time. Choose Domestos, and support safer school sanitation.
Follow us on social media to take the pledge.