Coimbatore, Nov. 19: The United Nations observes November 19 as the World Toilet Day every year since 2013. It is about “inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. 4.5 billion people live without a household toilet that safely disposes of their waste”.
The theme for this year is “wastewater”. According to the United Nations website, “Even in wealthy countries, treatment of wastewater can be far from perfect, leading to rivers and coastlines that cannot be safely fished in or enjoyed....safely managed wastewater has massive potential as an affordable and sustainable source of energy, nutrients and water”.
The Sustainable Development Goals, launched in 2015, include a target to ensure everyone has access to safely managed household toilet by 2030. This makes sanitation central to eradicating extreme poverty.
The 4.5 billion mark is a clear indication that reaching the target by 2030 is an uphill task. What makes it more serious is the fact that 732 million of the total 1.3 billion in India lack toilets.
Today, we at SimpliCity dedicate this day to each and every Indian who is denied access to a household toilet. Do read and see the information that we have endeavoured to put together for you.
See story links and video:
India leads with its 732 million not having access to toilets: WaterAid report - Click here
A toilet for all: going beyond the stigma - Click here
World Toilet Day: Towards making Coimbatore open defecation free - Click here