World Toilet Day

November 19, Tuesday

World Toilet Day
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World Toilet Day is celebrated annually on November 19 to highlight the global sanitation problem and the importance of access to clean and safe toilets for people’s health, dignity and well-being.

History
The idea of ​​creating a day dedicated to the toilet problem first appeared in 2001, when Jack Sim, a Singaporean entrepreneur and founder of the World Toilet Organization, decided that the issue of sanitation and hygiene deserved a global discussion. He was the one who initiated the first World Toilet Day. In 2013, the UN officially recognized this day and included it in its calendar of international days.

The main issues that World Toilet Day raises include:
Lack of access to sanitation. According to the UN, more than 3.6 billion people live without access to managed sanitation. This means that toilets are either absent or do not provide safe waste disposal, which increases the risk of infections and diseases.

Diseases and health. Lack of sanitation is linked to diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis and other infections transmitted through contaminated water and food. For example, every 20 seconds a child dies from diseases caused by poor sanitation and lack of clean water.

Gender inequality issues. Women and girls suffer more from lack of clean toilets than men. Safe toilets are especially important to protect their health, privacy and dignity, especially in schools and public places.

Impact on education. Lack of sanitation in schools prevents students, especially girls, from attending classes. Lack of clean toilets can cause children to avoid school or drop out of education.

Preservation of the environment. Adequate waste disposal helps prevent water, soil and air pollution. When toilets are unattended or missing, human waste can leak into the environment, worsening the environmental situation.

Solutions
Addressing the global sanitation crisis requires a joint effort by governments, international organizations, the private sector and the public. Here are some steps being taken to address this issue:

Improving infrastructure. Building safe and clean toilets in both rural and urban areas. This requires investing in sustainable sanitation systems that will manage waste.

Education programs. Teaching people the importance of hygiene and sanitation, especially in vulnerable communities. Hygiene programs help prevent the spread of diseases and improve overall health.

Financial support. Developing programs to support poor communities that cannot afford to build toilets or access sanitation services.

International cooperation. International organizations such as the UN and UNICEF work to support countries with poor sanitation through funding and long-term plans to improve conditions.

World Toilet Day

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World Toilet Day in other years

World Toilet Day in other countries

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