This is just a small post to draw attention to an important global event that took place last week. The 19th November was World Toilet Day, with 2014’s theme being ‘Equality and Dignity’. UN-Water, collaborating with governments, NGOs such as Water Aid and many other stakeholders, organised World Toilet Day to raise awareness of the poor levels of sanitation and hygiene in some parts of the world. Although inviting many jokes due to the often humorous topic of toilets, many talks and events took place to highlight these issues and engage people in plans of action to tackle problems.
In brief: (UN-Water)
- 2.5 billion people, of the world’s 7 billion, do not have improved access to sanitation
- 1 billion still defecate in the open - putting women and girls at risk of rape and abuse due to lack of privacy
- Where toilets do exist they are often unsuitable for populations with special needs (e.g. disabled and elderly) and women and girls needing facilities for menstrual hygiene
Click here for a message from the UN Deputy Secretary-General on World Toilet Day to a conference organised by Water Aid and Unilever in Brussels. He points out that 1.8 billion people woke up that morning drinking water contaminated by open deification, and encourages people to join him in facing the sanitation challenge head on and recognise the huge importance of the toilet for saving lives and preserving dignity.
Access to clean water and toilets is something most people in developed countries take for granted and don't think twice about. Events such as World Toilet Day are vital to raising awareness for issues facing the world. Even if toilet humour is prominent around this issue, at least jokes mean people are acknowledging the need to improve sanitation.
I leave you with Matt Damon embracing the comical side to World Toilet Day:
Matt Damon is one of the biggest campaigners for improving global access to water and sanitation and runs the charity water.org.
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