In 2001 WTO declared 19th November World Toilet Day (WTD). Today it is celebrated in over 19 countries with over 51 events being hosted by various water and sanitation advocates.
World Toilet Organization created WTD to raise global awareness of the struggle 2.6 billion face every day without access to proper, clean sanitation.WTD also brings to the forefront the health, emotional and psychological consequences the poor endure as a result of inadequate sanitation.
WTD's popularity is gaining momentum, and in 2010 there were 51 events spanning 19 countries. Our "Big Squat" campaign generated 24 "Big Squats" globally and in Singapore over 600 squatters joined the cause in six locations island-wide. WTO would love to see our day become "The" event that represents the sanitation crisis globally, and we strongly encourage our members, volunteers, the community, media and partners to get behind our cause and support our day.
Saturday, 19 November 2011
It's ten years since the first World Toilet Day and there are still 2.6 billion people with nowhere safe, private or hygienic to go to the toilet.
Readers of the British Medical Journal voted sanitation the single greatest medical advance of the last 150 years – yet a lack of investment in basic facilities to prevent diarrhoeal diseases means scarce health resources are diverted to treat them; people suffering from these diseases currently fill half the hospital beds in developing countries.
And it's not just making people sick – it's killing them too; diarrhoea kills a child every 20 seconds. In fact, diarrhoea kills more children every year than AIDS, malaria and measles combined.
It's a disgrace that this completely preventable crisis continues to blight the lives of billions worldwide. That's why, to mark World Toilet Day this year, Crisis Talks on water and sanitation will be taking place across the world.
Local people in the communities most affected by the crisis will be meeting their representatives to demand urgent action.
You can join them by visiting your own MP to highlight some of these important issues and how the UK Government can help.
If you'd like to help WaterAid push this urgent message up the political agenda by visiting your MP, please get in touch with Rebecca Owen at campaigns@wateraid.org for more details.
We believe the UK can be a great champion in addressing this crisis. But it's crucial that Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development, has support from the rest of Parliament.
At a time when international aid is controversial, we have a very clear message:
Sanitation is the most cost-effective of any health intervention.
Poor water and sanitation costs Sub-Saharan Africa around 5% of its GDP each year, equivalent to the amount of aid the continent currently receives from western nations.
For every £1 invested in water and sanitation, £8 is returned in increased economic productivity.
World Toilet Organization
World Toilet Organization (WTO) is a global non-profit organization committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide. WTO focuses on toilets instead of water, which receives more attention and resources under the common subject of sanitation.
Founded in 2001 with 15 members, it now has 151 member organizations in 53 countries working towards eliminating the toilet taboo and delivering sustainable sanitation.
WTO is also the organizer of the World Toilet Summits and World Toilet Expo and Forum.
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