World Toilet Day
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Overview
World Toilet Day is an official United Nations international observance day on November 19th each year, aiming to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. Its primary goal is to advocate for safely managed sanitation for all, as lack of proper toilets and sanitation has severe impacts on health, dignity, and the environment. This day highlights the urgency of sustainable sanitation systems in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.2, which promises sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030.
Origin and story
World Toilet Day was first established in 2001 by the World Toilet Organization, a global non-profit dedicated to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide.
In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognized World Toilet Day, making it an official UN international observance.
Quick facts
- DateNovember 19
- TypeHealth / Wellness
- Great forWellness groups, Gyms, Health classes
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
World Toilet Day traces back to a Singaporean entrepreneur who took on a subject most people avoid discussing, and eventually convinced the entire United Nations to take it seriously.
The man who called himself "Mr. Toilet"
On November 19, 2001, Singaporean philanthropist Jack Sim founded the World Toilet Organization and declared that same date World Toilet Day, aiming to break the taboo around discussing sanitation openly. Sim, who embraced the nickname "Mr. Toilet," built the day into a global advocacy platform for the roughly billions of people worldwide who still lack access to safe, private toilets.
From grassroots campaign to UN resolution
In 2013, Singapore brought its first-ever resolution before the UN General Assembly, adopted by 122 countries, making World Toilet Day an official UN observance. It's now coordinated annually by UN-Water, which sets a different sanitation-related theme each year. The UN estimates that 3.4 billion people worldwide still live without safely managed sanitation.
Ways to mark the day
- Learn more about the global sanitation gap at the official UN campaign site.
- Support or research an organization working on sanitation access.
- Talk about the topic openly with someone, in the spirit of breaking the taboo Jack Sim set out to break.
Helpful resources: United Nations, "World Toilet Day".
Did you know?
Before turning to sanitation advocacy in his early forties, Jack Sim had built a career running construction and building-materials businesses, including a tiling factory, in Singapore.
Fun facts
- World Toilet Day was first established in 2001 by the World Toilet Organization, a global non-profit dedicated to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide.
- In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognized World Toilet Day, making it an official UN international observance.
- Globally, 3.5 billion people still live without safely managed sanitation, and 419 million people practice open defecation, mostly in rural areas.
- The annual observance aims to draw attention to the fact that billions of people worldwide do not have access to a clean and safe toilet.
- Access to proper sanitation facilities is crucial for public health, gender equality, education, and environmental protection.
Sources and attribution
Primary source: United Nations, "World Toilet Day".
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is World Toilet Day?
- It is observed on November 19 each year.
- What is World Toilet Day?
- World Toilet Day is an official United Nations international observance day on November 19th each year, aiming to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. Its primary goal is to advocate for safely managed sanitation for all, as lack of proper toilets and sanitation has severe impacts on health, dignity, and the environment. This day highlights the urgency of sustainable sanitation systems in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.2, which promises sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030.
- How do people celebrate World Toilet Day?
- People learn about the global sanitation crisis and the day's origin: Singaporean entrepreneur Jack Sim founded the World Toilet Organization on November 19, 2001, and the UN General Assembly made it an official observance in 2013.
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