World Toilet Day 2024: Role Of Sanitation In Health And Disease Prevention – News18
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In India, World Toilet Day plays a key role in reinforcing the country’s commitment to maintaining its Open Defecation Free status.
World Toilet Day 2024: Everyone deserves a toilet that is safe, clean, private and properly connected to a system that safely removes waste. (Image: Shutterstock)
World Toilet Day raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis and encourage action to solve it. United Nation’s focus is on achieving safe toilets for all by 2030, a key target of the Sustainable Development Goals. As per the organisation, 3.5 billion people live without proper sanitation and many children lose their lives due to poor sanitation and unsafe water.
World Toilet Day has become an opportunity to raise awareness about this issue, which affects health of people living in poor conditions. In this article, we’ll look at the significance of this day, its history, 2024 theme and the crucial role sanitation plays in preventing disease and improving public health.
World Toilet Day 2024 Theme
The theme for World Toilet Day 2024 is ‘Toilets – A Place for Peace’, which focuses on the growing threat to sanitation caused by conflict, climate change, disasters and neglect. When sanitation systems are damaged or destroyed, human waste can spread, leading to deadly diseases. These services help keep us safe by keeping our waste restricted and away from living areas.
World Toilet Day History
World Toilet Day was created in 2001 by the World Toilet Organization (WTO), which was founded by Jack Sim. However, it was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2013. During the time, the Government of Singapore worked with the WTO to create the first UN resolution called Sanitation for All.
Through this resolution, the organisation asked countries to make policies to provide better toilets for poor communities and to stop people from going to the bathroom in open areas, which can be dangerous for public health.
World Toilet Day Significance
Everyone deserves a toilet that is safe, clean, private and properly connected to a system that safely removes waste.
When toilet systems are poor, broken or missing, waste can spread and cause serious diseases.
This is especially harmful for women and girls, as they are more likely to face health problems, when there is no safe sanitation.
Without proper sanitation, it becomes harder for everyone to focus on daily life.
Taking faster and stronger action will help improve health, support human rights and promote development.
Role Of Sanitation In Preventing Disease And Promoting Health
Keeping clean and practicing good hygiene is important for many reasons, like personal health, social well-being and mental health.
Having access to clean water and proper toilets helps stop the spread of diseases caused by dirty or contaminated water.
If everyone takes care of their hygiene and surroundings, many diseases could be reduced or even eliminated.
Such habits can help create healthier communities and support the growth of the economy.
Celebrations in India and Global Campaigns
In India, World Toilet Day plays a key role in reinforcing the country’s commitment to maintaining its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. The government has instructed all states and Union Territories to conduct surveys at the grassroots level to identify gaps and accelerate the construction of Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs).
Village-level registration drives and camps are also organized to ensure timely sanction orders for toilet construction for eligible beneficiaries.
This year, India will launch the “Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman” campaign, starting on November 19 and running through to Human Rights Day on December 10, 2024. The campaign aims to highlight the critical link between sanitation and human rights, emphasizing the need for dignity and privacy, particularly for women and girls.
