Over time, we have adapted different practices to make a healthy environment around us. Having access to clean sanitation is also a major need of mankind. Worldwide, about 4.5 billion people still lack access to safe sanitation. World Toilet Day, followed every year on November 19, is a global initiative to highlight the critical importance of sanitation and advocate for universal access to safe and clean toilets.
The day, spearheaded by the United Nations, raises awareness about sanitation challenges and emphasizes its vital role in improving public health, reducing environmental pollution, and ensuring dignity for all. World Toilet Day aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All by focusing on sustainable sanitation solutions. This annual observance serves as a call to action for individuals, organizations, and governments to accelerate progress toward achieving equitable sanitation systems that leave no one behind. You can also be part of the World Toilet Day celebration by being part of the local NGO campaigns and spreading awareness.
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What is World Toilet Day?
World Toilet Day, celebrated every year on November 19, is a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of sanitation and ensuring access to safe, clean toilets for everyone. This initiative, led by the United Nations, aims to spotlight the sanitation crisis faced by billions of people worldwide and its impact on health, education, and overall quality of life.
Why is it Important?
World Toilet Day is a vital reminder of the global sanitation crisis and its profound impact on health, education, gender equality, and the environment. Many people don’t have access to proper sanitation, leading to open defection, which is a leading cause of waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, and dysentery. Over 700 children under five die daily from preventable diseases linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation.
Poor sanitation also leads to gender inequality, especially in schools and colleges without toilets, forcing females to skip classes and encouraging perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. It also affects the environment due to improper waste disposal, harming the ecosystem and communities. Celebrating World Toilet Day helps in spreading awareness about the issues and problems due to improper sanitation.
History of World Toilet Day
Billions of people face the problem of proper sanitation, and to address that problem, Jack Sim, an entrepreneur from Singapore, founded the World Toilet Organization (WTO) in 2001. Jack Sim wanted to bring attention to the global sanitation crisis and advocate for better toilet facilities, marking the beginning of the movement. World Toilet Day was first celebrated on 19 November 2001. In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the mission of providing clean sanitation under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which seeks to ensure clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Since then, World Toilet Day has been celebrated every year on November 19, focusing on specific themes such as valuing toilets, toilets, and jobs, and this year’s theme, Toilets: A Place for Peace, spotlights the safety, peace, and protection one should get while performing clean sanitation. As with the enriching history, the moment has also inspired NGOs, governments, and communities to take action and build a sustainable solution for the billions still lacking basic sanitation facilities.
Also Read: Role of NGO in Food and Nutrition
The Theme of World Toilet Day 2024
Every year, World Toilet Day is celebrated on November 19, focusing on a specific theme to spread awareness. In the year 2024, the theme of World Toilet Day is Toilets: A Place for Peace. Addressing the peace one should feel while accessing safe and clean sanitization.
Glimpse of the themes over the years:
- 2024 – Toilets: A Place for Peace
- 2023 – Accelerating Change
- 2022 – Sustainable Sanitation and Groundwater
- 2021 – Valuing Toilets
- 2020 – Sustainable Sanitation and Climate Change
- 2019 – Leaving No One Behind
- 2018 – When Nature Calls
- 2017 – Wastewater
- 2016 – Toilets and Jobs
- 2015 – Toilets and Nutrition
- 2014 – Equality and Dignity
International NGO Involvement
Organizations like WaterAid and UNICEF Plan International drive awareness campaigns, develop sustainable toilet infrastructure, and advocate for policy changes to prioritize sanitation in national agendas. Through initiatives like Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), they promote behavioural change and hygiene practices while introducing innovative solutions such as eco-friendly, biodegradable, and smart sanitation systems. These NGOs collaborate with governments, the private sector, and global entities like the World Bank and the Toilet Board Coalition to amplify their impact and secure funding. By implementing WASH assessments and sharing success stories, NGOs ensure sustained progress, fostering health, dignity, and environmental sustainability for underserved communities worldwide.
Also Read: Role of WHO in Healthcare
Indian NGOs Involvement
NGOs in India play a transformative role in addressing sanitation challenges, promoting hygiene awareness, and driving sustainable development initiatives in alignment with the goals of World Toilet Day. Organizations like Swades Foundation, Swachha Bahuuddeshiya Sanstha, Aga Khan Foundation, and Rotary Trust are at the forefront of improving access to sanitation across India.
Balajee Sewa Sansthan, operating in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, focuses on constructing low-cost toilets for underprivileged households, alongside promoting health, women’s empowerment, and rural development. Their initiatives include skill development, microfinance, and eco-tourism while striving to benefit 10 lakh families by 2030.
Gram Chetna Kendra, based in Rajasthan, builds public toilets and raises awareness about hygiene and sanitation. The organization emphasizes self-reliance through people-centric development, empowering rural communities to access dignified living conditions.
Swades Foundation integrates sanitation within its 360-degree rural development model. By constructing household toilets and engaging communities in health and hygiene practices, the foundation ensures transformative and sustainable improvements in rural India.
How to Celebrate World Toilet Day?
World Toilet Day observed on November 19th, is an opportunity to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis and promote sustainable solutions. To celebrate meaningfully, start by educating yourself and others about sanitation issues through webinars, social media campaigns, and discussions. Organize community cleanliness drives to clean or repair public toilets and promote hygiene awareness.
Also Read: Role of NGOs in Cancer Care
Support NGOs like WaterAid or local initiatives by donating or volunteering in sanitation projects. Advocate for better policies, such as increased funding for sanitation infrastructure or gender-inclusive facilities. Engage schools and colleges by hosting debates, art contests, or awareness programs. Highlight progress by sharing success stories of individuals or organizations making an impact. Promote sustainable practices like eco-friendly toilets and water conservation. Hosting creative events, such as film screenings or essay competitions, to spark interest in the cause. Join global movements, participate in campaigns, and commit to long-term actions to improve sanitation and help achieve sustainable development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.
Why Celebrate World Toilet Day?
The celebration of World Toilet Day is more of a call to action for addressing one of the most global challenges—sanitation. With billions of people lacking access to proper sanitation. The day focuses on the importance of the toilets for good hygiene and a clean environment. Here is why being a part of the World Toilet Day celebration matters: By celebrating the day, we educate people about the issue of improper sanitation and unclean toilets leading to environmental hazards. You can also promote public health by spreading awareness about the diseases one can catch by improper sanitation.
By being a part of it, you are not only helping individuals but also supporting sustainable development.
Also Read: Role of NGOs in HIV and AIDS Awareness and Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is World Toilet Day celebrated?
World Toilet Day is celebrated annually on 19th November.
What is the theme of World Toilet Day 2024?
The theme of World Toilet Day 2024 is Toilets: A Place for Peace.
Who started World Toilet Day?
Jack Sim founded the World Toilet Organization on 19 November 2001 which the letter declared as World Toilet Day.
What is the aim of World Toilet Day?
World Toilet Day aims to spread awareness of safe sanitation and provide proper toilet access to everyone by 2030.
How you can participate in World Toilet Day?
You can participate in World Toilet Day individually or by being a part of local sanitation campaigns, spreading awareness and educating others to use safe toilets
Conclusion
for better health and the environment, prioritizing Sanitation is a must and World Toilet Day is a strong reminder for those who ignore the importance of proper sanitation. United Nations’ goal to provide toilets to everyone lacking safe access to the toilets can be achieved if everyone works together and be part of the moment. so this November 19 join hands for a healthier and cleaner environment along with safety and protection everyone should feel while accessing toilets cause Toilets – a place for peace.
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