Observed annually on 19 November, World Toilet Day aims to break the taboo around the subject and draw attention to the existing global sanitation challenge.

Put together by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and the World Toilet Organization (WTO), the idea of the campaign’s website, www.worldtoiletday.org, is to share key messages about safe toilets and sanitation.

According to the WSSCC, World Toilet Day was created to raise global awareness of the daily struggle for proper dignified sanitation that 2.5 billion people continue to face.

WSSCC advocacy and communication officer Saskia Castelein said: “Although unthinkable for those living in wealthy parts of the world, this is a harsh reality for many – in fact, one in three people on this globe, does not have access to a toilet. The World Toilet Day Campaign aims to raise awareness, inspire action, and make sanitation and hygiene for all a reality in the 21st century.”

It is possible to advocate for better sanitation through the new website by hosting an event and registering activities on an interactive World Toilet Day map and promote World Toilet Day by using logos, and banners.

The WSSCC notes that the benefits of proper sanitation, good hygiene and clean drinking water on health and well-being, educational attainment and economic growth are increasingly gaining recognition by the international development community but say there is still a long way to go.

“World Toilet Day wants to cast its net far and wide to get the attention of not just those working on these issues already, but also decision makers and the public,” the council said.

Conor McGlone

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