According to WHO/UNICEF (2023), 3.5 billion people currently live without access to safely managed toilet systems.
It’s not just in other countries, but it’s here locally too. Let’s bring that number down!
Why do toilets matter?
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Health
When human waste has nowhere safe to go, it gets out into the environment. This spreads disease, which is bad for humans and nature. When toilets are well-managed, human waste gets disposed of and treated properly – which makes life better for everybody.
Also, when people don’t have access to a good toilet, they don’t relieve themselves in a timely way. This can lead to serious health problems!
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Productivity, Education & Economic Growth
When people don’t have access to a good toilet, the economy suffers. People must pay for healthcare to treat their health problems, they lose time and working hours getting treated, and they lose time and working hours finding good toilets.
Women and girls are very affected by this. Poor access to good toilets may deter young girls from attending school during menstruation, or women from attending work.
Without good toilets, a country can lose billions of dollars in economic progress!
Who is responsible for this?
Conflict, extreme weather, and disasters can damage or disrupt toilet and sanitation services. Governments need to make sure that these services are resilient and shielded from harm.
We (the public) need to hold governments accountable for this and continue advocating for better sanitation services! Not only is it important for public health, but having access to well-maintained toilets helps us feel safe and dignified.
Building Sanitation Solutions for Health, Dignity, and Justice
Local Toilets
Winnipeggers are improving good toilet access downtown. For World Toilet Day last year, we gave an update on Amoowigamig, a public washroom that opened two years ago at Main Street and Henry Avenue in downtown Winnipeg. Amoowigamig addresses the very important need for a safe and clean washroom in an area busy with people on foot, bus, bike, and in cars.
Five thousand people use Amoowigamig a month – and not just people who live in the area! The public washroom also has harm reduction supplies, foot wash stations, and cultural supports for the public.
This is hopefully the first of other washrooms that open to the public and are well-maintained for public use. There is a demand for other facilities in other foot traffic-heavy areas downtown, like Memorial Boulevard and Central Park.
The City of Winnipeg must work to ensure that resources and bylaws are in place so that Amoowigamig and similar facilities are permitted and protected from extreme weather and other disruptions.
Take Action: Reach out to your City/Town Councillor and advocate for safe and dignified washrooms open to public use!
Global Toilets
Good toilets need good water services and supply! When water is not properly treated and maintained, human waste can get into the water supply. This puts humans and animals at risk for waterborne diseases, which cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and more. This cycle continues if water services are not improved.
In the Palmarejo area of Dominican Republic, HOPE International is constructing and improving water pipelines in rural areas. Not only does this help farmers and forest conservationists, but it also improves clean water access for handwashing and to prevent waterborne diseases. Good water + good toilets = good sanitation!
We need to make sure that good toilets and water are protected from neglect and other risks.
Take Action: How is sanitation linked to peace, protection, and progress? Reflect and share!
Join the movement
Support SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation which talks about ADEQUATE and EQUITABLE sanitation and hygiene for ALL.
- In working towards PEACE, let’s consider how water and sanitation intersect with SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- In working towards PROTECTION, let’s consider how water and sanitation intersect with SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being.
- In working towards PROGRESS, let’s consider how water and sanitation intersect with SDG 5 Gender Equality.
About the photos:
Top photo - UN campaign poster for World Toilet Day 2024.
Second photo - Amoowigamig, a public washroom in downtown Winnipeg.
Third photo - People work on constructing and improving water pipelines. Photo credit: Hope International, Palmarejo Project.