World Toilet Day

World Toilet Day History

World Toilet Day seeks to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis. It seeks to draw attention to the importance of proper sanitation and hygiene practices and the urgent need for adequate toilet facilities in developing countries. This day is of vital importance, as around 4.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed sanitation, resulting in preventable illnesses and deaths primarily due to waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid.

The concept of World Toilet Day was first conceived by the World Toilet Organization in 2001, before being officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013. For people in the United States, the observance of this day can serve as a reminder to appreciate and maintain the country's well-developed sanitation infrastructure, as well as encourage efforts to support global sanitation initiatives. Additionally, it is an opportunity for civic organizations, companies, and government agencies to engage in awareness campaigns, educational programs, and fundraise for sanitation projects around the globe.

World Toilet Day is observed by participating in global campaigns, hosting local events, and sharing information about the sanitation crisis on social media, often contributing to the theme designated for each year. Non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies work together to organize events, advocacy initiatives, and fundraisers to promote awareness and inspire action. World Toilet Day is celebrated every year on November 19th.

World Toilet Day facts

• The theme for World Toilet Day in 2024 was Sanitation for Peace. In 2023 the theme was Accelerating Change.
• 1 in 8 people in the world practice open defecation, meaning that the person must relieve him/herself without cover or shelter from other people.
• Diarrhea is the second leading cause of deaths in children under age 5 in developing countries. Diarrhea is primarily due to poor hygiene and sanitation
• The average person spends one hour and 42 minutes a week on the toilet, or nearly 92 days over his/her lifetime.
• The 2030 Agenda calls on us to renew our efforts in providing access to adequate sanitation worldwide. We must continue to educate and protect communities at risk, and to change cultural perceptions and long-standing practices that hinder the quest for dignity. – Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

In the News and Trending in the US for World Toilet Day

Top things to do in the US for World Toilet Day

• Spread awareness by using the hashtag #WorldToiletDay, #WeCantWait and #ToiletAccessIsARight.
• Read a book about toilets and the importance of sanitation. Some suggestions are: Sanitation & Water Supply in Low-Income Countries, Sitting Pretty An Uninhibited History of the Toilet and The Big Necessity.
• Watch a movie about toilets and the importance of sanitation. Some suggestions are: Guts For Change (2015), A New Culture of Water (2004) and A Thirsty World (2012).
• Tour a local sanitation plant. Sanitation plants throughout the US exist to recycle and clean water while properly disposing of human excrement and other waste.
• Donate to the World Toilet Organization. All proceeds are used by the organization to help break the taboo around the toilet and sanitation crisis. They help lobby governments, public and private sector stakeholders to prioritize sanitation on the agenda.