Introduction – World Toilet Day is celebrated every year on November 19 to spread awareness about the importance of toilets and sanitation across the world. This International Day highlights the importance of providing hygiene services and improving sanitation practices worldwide. Sanitation is a basic necessity and human right for healthy living irrespective of any social, economic, or cultural background. Poor hygiene practices and open defecation practices may be responsible for serious health risks worldwide. Open excretion or defecation is one of the main concerns in several urban slums and rural areas because of a lack of hygiene facilities and proper waste management.

History – Philanthropist, Jack Sim founded World Toilet Organization in Singapore in the year 2001 and declared to observe World Toilet Day on November 19 to spread awareness about sanitation issues among people across the world. The Sustainable Sanitation Alliance started to support World Toilet Day in the year 2007.  The United Nations recognized access to safe water and hygiene as fundamental human rights of common people across the world in the year 2010.

Later, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution in the 67th session on July 24, 2013, and declared that World Toilet is celebrated every year on November 19 across the world. The United Nations General Assembly also highlighted the adverse effects of insufficient sanitation on water resources and our environment. The main aim of this international day is to bring together and prevent open defecation by encouraging the significance of hygiene and the treatment of dirt among others.

Significance – The main aim of World Toilet Day is to raise awareness about perfect hygiene practices, which promotes the health and safety of women, especially in rural areas. Open defecation is harmful to health and also enhances the risk of assaults or attacks on girls. Poor sanitation is also responsible for several diseases due to poor sanitation and hygiene. This international day highlights the significance of sanitation practices which play an important role in improving environmental protection, economic development, and health of people across the world.