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World Toilet Day

Did you know that 3.6 billion people in the world do not have access to a toilet?

Updated

World Toilet Day

healthy sanitation is a basic human right, yet so many people in the world do not have it. Here’s how you can make a difference:

What is World Toilet Day and Why Is It Important?

World Toilet Day is celebrated across the globe on 19 November every year and the aim is to educate people on the importance of access to safe sanitation and to get individuals, groups and governments mobilised to act for change.

The goal of World Toilet Day and the United Nations Valuing Toilets campaign, is to “tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6” of the UN charter which is water and sanitation for all by 2030.

How Does Lack of Access to Toilets Affect People's Health?

When there is no access to toilets in a community, the risk of infectious diseases spreading is higher. Infectious diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A are common outbreaks in areas without access to healthy toilet systems. Women are more at risk for health concerns than men as they can contract infections more easily when using unsanitary pit toilets or long drops.

In South Africa, pit toilets pose a huge threat to the lives of many children who only have access to these types of facilities at schools and in rural communities - they are at risk of falling into the poorly built and maintained pits, and cases of drowning are common.

The Different Ways in Which the Toilet Crisis Is Being Addressed.

In South Africa, the toilet crisis is being addressed by many brands and businesses, but sadly not quick enough. Domestos, as a brand, is doing everything it can to highlight the atrocities of the school sanitation crisis in the country. Their most recent campaign aims to raise awareness about poor sanitation in the country and how it impacts children’s ability to learn in dignity and in health.

Domestos hopes that the campaign will help to raise funds to refurbish and build new toilets in impoverished communities, train teachers and janitors on how to maintain safe, hygienic facilities, and educate all South Africans on good hygiene.

Ways in Which You Can Get Involved in Solving the Global Sanitation Crisis

There are many ways to get involved in curbing the toilet crisis in your community. Here are a few ideas:

  • When you buy a 750ml Domestos bleach product, proceeds go to the brand’s Support Safer School Sanitation campaign.

  • Raise funds for impoverished schools in or near your home in order to help build safer, more hygienic toilets for school children.

  • Educate your domestic workers and staff about safe sanitation so they can become involved in community projects in their communities too.

What will you be doing to raise awareness and make a difference this International Toilet Day 2022?

For more bathroom and toilet cleaning tips, visit Cleanipedia today.

Frequently asked questions on World Toilet Day

Why is World Toilet day Celebrated?

The importance of World Toilet Day is to raise awareness about the need for safer sanitation facilities for all.

Why is Sanitation Important in Schools?

School children cannot learn and thrive in a school environment that doesn’t offer safe, healthy sanitation facilities like toilets. It can affect their physical and mental health when they have to access unsanitary, unsafe, unhygienic toilet facilities.

What is World Toilet Day All About?

World Toilet Day date is celebrated on 19 November across the world in order to bring awareness to the more than 3.6 billion people in the world who do not have access to safe sanitation.

Why is Sanitation Education Important?

It is important to educate people about how to safely build, maintain, use and clean sanitation facilities in order to prevent serious illness, unhygienic practices, and even death.

How Many Schools have Pit Toilets in South Africa?

The latest statistics estimate that over 3000 schools in South Africa still use pit toilets.

Originally published