World Toilet Day: Sanitation crisis and the role of NGOs

EVERY year, on November 19, World Toilet Day serves as a reminder of the global sanitation crisis that often goes unnoticed. According to the United Nations, a staggering 3.5 billion individuals live without access to reliably managed sanitation services, leading to dire consequences. Tragically, approximately 1,000 children under five lose their lives every day due to illnesses stemming from unsafe water, sanitation, and poor hygiene practices.

The absence of safely managed and sustainable sanitation forces many to resort to unreliable, insufficient toilet facilities or open defecation. Even in areas with toilet infrastructure, problems like overflows, pipe and septic system leaks, and improper waste disposal result in untreated human waste contaminating the environment, leading to the spread of life-threatening diseases, including cholera and intestinal worms.

The consequences of this dire situation are far-reaching, affecting the most vulnerable in society, particularly women and girls. Beyond the loss of dignity, they face severe risks of sexual harassment, abuse, and even rape when they lack access to safe and private toilets. These concerns often lead to girls missing out on education, further exacerbating the already significant gender disparities in many parts of the world.

Girl child, schools and toilets

Multiple studies have unveiled a distressing reality within the educational landscape of India. A quarter of all schoolgirls in the country face interruptions in their education during menstruation due to the lack of gender-specific toilets and the unavailability of sanitary pads in schools, as highlighted in research conducted by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and UNICEF in 2014-15. 

Another study reveals that approximately 22 per cent of schools in India lack proper toilet facilities for girls, while 58 per cent of preschools do not have any toilet infrastructure (Rapid Survey on Children, 2013-14).

Furthermore, the same survey exposes that 56 per cent of preschools lack access to clean water on their premises. The quality of water in many rural schools remains a significant concern, as many schools lack adequate water treatment facilities to assess and address contaminants like iron, arsenic, or fluoride (Rapid Survey on Children, 2013-14).

These findings shed light on the pressing need for improved infrastructure in schools across India to ensure that young girls have uninterrupted access to education and basic amenities, irrespective of their menstrual cycles. Adequate sanitation and safe drinking water are fundamental prerequisites for nurturing a conducive learning environment that promotes equality and the overall well-being of students.

Water Action Agenda

In March 2023, the whole world joined hands for the UN 2023 Water Conference, which the UN General Assembly organised. The big result of this conference is the “Water Action Agenda.” This is like a list of promises from many countries to work faster on improving water and sanitation. Then, they made a report called the “Blueprint for Acceleration: SDG 6 Synthesis Report on Water and Sanitation 2023.” UN-Water created it and launched at the 2023 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. This report advises important leaders in countries, other groups, and the United Nations. The advice tells them what they can do to help the world reach its goal of giving everyone clean water and better sanitation by 2030.

World Toilet Day is not just a reminder of the dire situation but also a call to action. It’s an opportunity for the world to unite and address the global sanitation crisis, ensuring that proper sanitation, particularly for women and girls, becomes a basic human right. Through awareness, advocacy, and collaborative efforts, we can work towards a world where everyone has access to safe and hygienic toilets, free from the threats and indignities they face today.

Here are five Indian NGOs that are doing stellar work in the field:

Balajee Sewa Sansthan

Balajee Sewa Sansthan is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving sanitation conditions in impoverished and low-income households. The organization addresses a critical need by constructing low-cost toilets, aiming to provide a dignified and hygienic sanitation solution for communities across India that lack access to proper facilities. To support Balajee Sewa Sansthan: 

Support Balajee Sewa Sansthan

Rotary Magnum Trust

In summary, the Rotary Magnum Trust’s initiative to build toilets in schools is a crucial step toward fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. By addressing the sanitation needs of underprivileged children, the organisation is contributing to the broader goal of ensuring that every child has an equal opportunity to access education and build a better future. To support Rotary Magnum Trust:

Support Rotary Magnum Trust

Swachha Bahuuddeshiya Sanstha

Swachha Bahuuddeshiya Sanstha plays a crucial role in promoting community well-being by constructing public toilets and fostering awareness of good health and hygiene practices. Their efforts contribute to the broader mission of building cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities, especially those that are marginalized and underprivileged across India. To support Swachha Bahuuddeshiya Sanstha:

Support Swachha Bahuuddeshiya Sanstha

Swades Foundation

The Swades Foundation’s dual focus on constructing toilets in poor households and running community engagement programs reflects a comprehensive strategy for rural development. By combining infrastructure development with community empowerment, the foundation is actively working towards creating lasting positive impacts on the lives of individuals and communities in need. To support Swades Foundation:

Support Swades Foundation

Gram Chetna Kendra

Gram Chetna Kendra’s efforts to construct public toilets and promote awareness of good hygiene practices reflect a comprehensive strategy for rural development. By addressing both infrastructure and behavioural aspects, the organization contributes to building healthier, more resilient communities in line with the broader goals of sustainable development. To support Gram Chetna Kendra:

Support Gram Chetna Kendra

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