UN launches ‘World Toilet Day’

world toilet dayThe term “World Toilet Day” may sound a bit strange but the lack of decent toilets is a serious problem facing a third of the world’s population.

According to the UN some 2.5 billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation and more than 1 billion practice open defecation – a problem that contributes to countless death from preventable diseases.

Additionally more that 800,000 children under five die around the globe every year from diarrhea due to poor sanitation, the UN  said.

It is against this background that UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, declared today (Tuesday) as the inaugural ‘World Toilet Day.’

“We must break the taboos and make sanitation for all a global development priority,” he said.

According to Ban, sanitation is central to human and environmental health. “It is essential or sustainable development, dignity and opportunity,” he noted. “When schools offer decent toilets, 11 percent more girls attend. When women have access to a private latrine, they are less vulnerable to assault.”

World Toilet Day will be part of a campaign which aims to end open defecation by the year 2025, and cut in half the number of people lacking decent sanitation.

“By working together — and by having a frank and open discussion on the importance of toilets and sanitation — we can improve the health and well-being of one-third of the human family …. that is the goal of World Toilet Day,” Ban said.

Singapore is one of the nations fed up with the problem, and last July it sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution declaring November 19 as World Toilet Day.

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28 Comments

  1. November 20, 2013

    To anonymous, are u the same one who is saying there is nothing wrong with eliminating pit toilets and then say that they should be eliminated. .Make up your mind and stop being a double edged sword. You are talking with the both side of your mouth..
    I wanted to ignore your comments about being able to read but instead i will educate you about proper sanitation that are not met with pit latrines
    To prevent the spread of germs one should wash there hands before leaving the bathroom or toilet and even the door nob or latch of the latrine to put it in easy terms.
    How many latrines are equipped with a sink and running water inside of it to make handwashing possible before one step outside after cleaning themselves..

  2. Anonymous
    November 19, 2013

    Are you people mad? How does this article agree with the PM’s campaign to eliminate pit toilets? There is nothing wrong with pit toilets. The article actually praises pit toilets! Read and understand!

    • Re-read
      November 20, 2013

      You are quite right. Here is a line:
      When women have access to a private latrine, they are less vulnerable to assault.”

      There are people who still go in bush to do their business. Extreme poverty.

  3. VWAY DEN!!!
    November 19, 2013

    Ahben by the year 2100 every day in the year will have been allocated to some important day and observance.

    Tomorrow will be Rest Your foot day, then Thursday will be World Massage Day, then Friday will be World Toilet paper day, and Saturday will be World Watch News Day, then Sunday will be World Kneeling Day, and Monday will be World Bread and Cheese day, and Tuesday will be World Squash (lemon juice) Day and then Wednesday will be World Paleau Day, and Thursday will be World Johnny Cake Day, and then Friday will be World Jeans day.. AHBEN AHBEN AHBEN!!!!

    • Mur
      November 20, 2013

      I was saying the same thing.

  4. Anonymous
    November 19, 2013

    There is nothing inherently wrong with trying to eliminate pit toilets. The words “war declared on pit latrines” was just so comical.

  5. Doc. Love
    November 19, 2013

    World Toilet Day, great idea, I hope Skeritt joins the U.N. and have a Dominica Pit Latrine Day.

    • Grand Bay Girl
      November 20, 2013

      I feel your passion and disdain for this man.I think you would be a Great Prime Minister just
      join the UWP and run for office. Then everything will be alright in DA.I will support you! ,

      • >>>>>>>>>>>>
        November 20, 2013

        @ ignorant Grandbay Girl I think UWP is a big thorn in your corrupt flesh. Want them or not, they are coming.No more Red Clinic for you.

  6. Anonymous
    November 19, 2013

    Let’s face it,nothing Skerritt does will please some people. Some of us know better.

    • Grand Bay Girl
      November 20, 2013

      The word is J…….! fill in d blanks lol

  7. Malgraysa
    November 19, 2013

    I propose that since Hon. Austrie is already in charge of water resources, apparently is in expert on toilets and heads the Housing Revolution we also nominate him the “Keeper of the Privy” and task him to bring us to the next level, from latrine to flush toilet

  8. November 19, 2013

    Take that Dominicans, great good for thought. When the prime minister stated that he wants to eliminate pit toilets, you all wanted to chew him up. What will u all say to the united nation now as they see it as a global health problem .

    • Anonymous
      November 19, 2013

      The article is not on the side of eliminating pit toilets! Please learn to read!

  9. LITTLE BIRD
    November 19, 2013

    I SEE!!!is our pm who doh have foresight???????
    get in the program….dominicans

    • Anonymous
      November 19, 2013

      Are you people mad? How does this article agree with the PM’s campaign to eliminate pit toilets? There is nothing wrong with pit toilets. The article actually praises pit toilets! Read and understand!

  10. John Paul
    November 19, 2013

    Words words words ,where is the reality ? Even Mr. Skeritt declared He was going to make Pit Latrines History under His watch.That is after He was reported to be distributing LPOs.
    What about those with no water ,no land for a septic tank/ field and what to speak of no money because of no job? Some of these People could use a good pit toilet ,it would be adequate since the idea is not to expose stool to flies which is the viaduct to carrying diseases and also stool getting into water sources.
    Where is the concrete plan or are we just making Political mileage on this unfortunate situation the less fortunate find themselves in ?
    When are we sincerely trying to help or just using a situation to make oneself look good ?

    • Irma Francois
      November 19, 2013

      why don’t you help since you know so much

  11. FAST N FURIOUS
    November 19, 2013

    Tell it to the haters.When the PM spoke of it,that became an issue.Yet they are the ones that say they are concerned about health.

    • Irma Francois
      November 19, 2013

      well said

    • Anonymous
      November 19, 2013

      Read the article again, please!

  12. Anonymous
    November 19, 2013

    And all you blaming skerrit but he always one step ahead! :mrgreen:

    • Jay
      November 19, 2013

      Of course he is one step ahead! he wants to get to the toilet before anyone else. Imagine his horror if he is in a location that is bereft of modern plumbing and he has to use the old pit latrine of yore instead. Horror upon horror indeed, especially if there are ladies in your retinue, who are used to the finer things in life.

      • Toomatoe Tomato
        November 19, 2013

        Lack of proper toilet facilities should concern all of us. Just shows with the UN Call, that the PM has vision and that is a wake up call to all those who found that getting rid of pit latrines is not important.

        That the PM speaks of things that are important to Dominicans and which he and his government can actually do to make a difference in people life.

        Not pipe dreams like 5000 jobs in three years when finding one job has proved to be a problem for a number of years and all the other far fetched promises that makes no sense whatsoever.

        No one has yet to tell us how all these promises would be financed. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

      • Grand Bay Girl
        November 20, 2013

        English please !Some of you who continue to hate this man cannot even express the hate.

    • Irma Francois
      November 19, 2013

      Tell it like it is

    • Anonymous
      November 19, 2013

      Ahead of what? He wants to eliminate pit toilets! That is ignorance! The article encourages having toilets of any kind, including pit. Read!

      • Anonymous
        November 20, 2013

        Jump all over DNO and shout louder maybe someone will hear you :mrgreen:

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