Why World Toilet Day Is Important
Most people take toilets for granted. They're just a necessary part of everyday life, something that everyone needs but no one really thinks about. But for billions of people around the world, toilets are a luxury. That's why World Toilet Day is so important.
World Toilet Day is an annual event that raises awareness of the global sanitation crisis and the importance of access to clean toilets and sanitation facilities. Every year, on November 19th, World Toilet Day shines a spotlight on the people who don't have access to proper sanitation—and what we can do to help them.
The Sanitation Crisis
2.4 billion people — one in three people worldwide — don't have access to clean, safe toilet facilities. That means that every day, millions of people are forced to defecate in the open, exposing themselves and others to disease. In fact, poor sanitation is responsible for the deaths of almost 500,000 children under the age of five every year.
Sanitation is also a key component of gender equality. In many parts of the world, women and girls are at risk of attack when they venture out in public to relieve themselves. Lack of adequate toilet facilities also forces young girls to miss school when they're menstruating, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and inequality.
What Can Be Done?
There are organizations all over the world working to improve sanitation conditions and build toilets for those who need them most. You can Support World Toilet Day by donating to organizations like WaterAid or donating your time through volunteer opportunities.
You can also support World Toilet Day by spreading the word on social media using the hashtag #worldtoiletday.
This November 19th, take a moment to think about all the people around the world who don't have access to clean toilets—and what you can do to help them. Spread awareness on social media, donate money or time to organizations working to improve global sanitation conditions, or simply wear a shirt supporting World Toilet Day. Let's work together to make sure that everyone has access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities!