You probably have a toilet in your house. Maybe a few. That makes you more fortunate than 2.5 billion people on this planet who lack access to proper safe sanitation. More than 1 billion people still face the indignity of defecating in the open, and women and girls are being assaulted while going to the toilet.
Every year on 19 November, UN World Toilet Day is a chance to get involved in the global movement for toilets and sanitation for all and raise awareness of the need for action to end the sanitation crisis. Toilets are something we tend to take for granted. World Toilet is a reminder to recognize that there is an ever growing problem global and to find ways to remedy it. Here are 5 ways you can celebrate World Toilet Day.
1. Do a ‘Big Squat’
Hold a big squat event and raise awareness of the more than 1 billion people who face the indignity of open defecation, which spreads diseases including cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and diarrhea. Stop, drop, squat and share! Get friends, colleagues, classmates or family together, invite people in the local community and squat in a public place. Take photos or video, and share them on YouTube, Vimeo, Vine, Instagram, Flickr, Facebook or Twitter. Use the hashtags #bigsquat, #worldtoiletday and #opendefecation.
2. Share
Access to sanitation would make life safer and healthier for 1.25 billion women. Because there isn't enough access to safe toilets, women are forced to handle their business in the open, leaving them vulnerable to being attacked. Join the global movement for toilets and sanitation for all, and raise awareness by posting on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, posting a Vine or Tweeting this World Toilet Day. Show that you give a crap about toilets and sanitation, and raise your voice to call for action. Use the hashtags #wecantwait #worldtoiletday #opendefecation #sanitation and #igiveashit.
3. Become a toilet advocate
Clean and safe toilets are fundamental for health, dignity, privacy, equality, and education. Contact your local representative, community leader or member of parliament and let them know you care about public toilets in your area. Does your town need new public toilets? Are the toilets safe and accessible, clean and well-maintained? Is there an appropriate ratio of toilets for men and women, or ‘potty parity’? Talk toilets with your local representative today.
4. Learn
Did you know that toilets and sanitation are considered a human right? In 2010, the UN General Assembly recognised sanitation and water as a human right, essential to the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights. Visit World Toilet Organization’s website worldtoilet.org and the UN World Toilet Day website unwater.org/worldtoiletday to learn about the sanitation crisis and how you can get involved.
5. Get a TUSHY!
Through our giveback partnership with Samagra, you can make a difference. When you purchase a TUSHY bidet, a portion of your purchase is donated to Samagra. Samagra helps build clean latrines and safe bathroom facilities for families in rural India.
