World Toilet Day

When is World Toilet Day observed?

The United Nations General Assembly designated November 19 as World Toilet Day, which is coordinated annually by a partnership between UN-Water and governments worldwide. Today, we'll discuss the one invention that remains a closely guarded secret but is undeniably significant. Therefore, if you're in the mood for an "ode to the commode," continue reading.

World Toilet Day's History

On November 19, 2001, Jack Sim, a Singaporean philanthropist, founded the World Toilet Organization, subsequently declaring the day World Toilet Day. The World Trade Organization chose "World Toilet Day" over "World Sanitation Day" to facilitate public messaging, despite the fact that toilets are only the first stage of sanitation apparatuses.

World Toilet Day was established to raise public awareness and promote the use of broader sanitation systems such as wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and hand washing. Goal 6 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals calls for adequate sanitation, which includes a system for safely processing waste. Their efforts to draw attention to sanitation crises were bolstered in 2010 when the UN officially recognized the right to water and sanitation as human rights.

In 2013, the Government of Singapore and the World Toilet Organization collaborated to draught Singapore's first United Nations resolution, "Sanitation for All." This resolution urged global action to address the world's sanitation crises. As a result, World Toilet Day was designated as an official United Nations Day, and the resolution was adopted by 122 countries during the United Nations General Assembly's 67th session in New York. On World Toilet Day 2015, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called for renewed efforts to ensure universal access to adequate sanitation, reminding everyone of the 2013 "Call to Action on Sanitation," which aimed to eliminate open defecation by 2025.

The Timeline of World Toilet Day

2001

WTO founded

The World Toilet Organization was founded by Jack Sim in Singapore.

2010

Sanitary Rights

The UN declared the right to water and sanitation a human right.  

2011

A challenge issued

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation issued the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge, asking innovators to design a waste-free commode in order to reconsider how we flush.

2013

It's official

World Toilet Day was declared an official UN day

How Many People Do You Think Have Toilets On The Planet?

Around 74% of the world's population has access to basic sanitation. However, 2 billion people still lack access to basic facilities such as toilets, and 63 million people are forced to defecate in public.

Which country has the most deplorable sanitation?

India, the world's second-largest country by population, unfortunately, ranks first in terms of providing substandard sanitary facilities to its citizens.

World Toilet Day: How to Celebrate?

As strange as it may sound, the history of the toilet and plumbing, in general, is an enthralling read. There is much to learn about, from the ancient Romans to the Middle East to John Crapper and today's futuristic thrones. Additionally, we're sure there's a joke about the ideal location for said reading.

With all the tact you can muster (and perhaps a quick clean beforehand), share a photo of your own toilet on social media to help raise awareness for World Toilet Day. Alternatively, use your internet search skills to locate some of the world's best toilets and share them with your friends. What a view? What a great design! The ideal toilet is waiting for you to discover it.

You can host an event to raise funds for the cause or simply to raise awareness with the assistance and guidance of UN-Water and its partners. The official World Toilet Day website even includes a tool to connect you with others around the world who are hosting similar events.

Why Is World Toilet Day Significant?

It serves to increase awareness

World Toilet Day is all about shedding light on an often taboo subject. And, while we do not recommend documenting the when, why, and how of your bathroom habits on social media, it is an excellent opportunity to start a conversation about global sanitation issues. As the UN puts it, there are a taboo surrounding talking toilets that need to be broken.

It honors a modern marvel

From the invention of the flush toilet to the innovations that continue to be made today, toilets and plumbing have altered the way we live. Consumers no longer waste hundreds of billions of gallons of water and billions of dollars each year, thanks to recent advancements. Indeed, the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States notes that if everyone in the country used an eco-friendly plumbing system, we could save 3 trillion gallons of water and more than $17 billion annually. That is cause for celebration.

It is critical

As with you following a Big Gulp, this cannot wait. According to UN statistics, diarrhea caused by inadequate sanitation and unsafe water kills 315,000 children each year. Additionally, productivity is declining in several countries due to a lack of sanitation and poor hygiene practices in the workplace, costing them up to 5% of their gross domestic product.

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