United Nations, New York : , November 20, 2000.UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged countries to make sure everyone has sanitation and health access in a message to mark World Toilet Day. He said that life without a bathroom was dirty, hazardous and unhonorable on Friday.
Yet, over 3.6 billion people live in unsafe sanitation.This is a threat to their health and the environment.It also hinders economic growth.
Poor sanitation could also prove fatal.
UN data shows that diarrhoea is the leading cause of death for children younger than five years old.
World Toilet Day is celebrated annually on November 19, 2013.It has been observed since 2013, and aims to end taboos by making sanitation for everyone a priority in global development, according to Xinhua news agency.
According to UN Secretary General, toilets can save lives and improve society as a whole.
He said, “History shows us that rapid advancement is possible.”
Many countries are making improvements in their healthcare systems through improved sanitation and the provision of toilets for all.
Guterres called on massive and urgent investment as well as for innovation along the whole “sanitation chain,” which includes toilets and the transportation, collection, and treatment of human waste.
He said that the fundamental human right to clean water and sanitation was not just good for the people but also for the business community and for the environment.
The UN Chief stated that for every dollar spent on toilets or sanitation, there are up to five dollars in savings, improved health and education, and that the UN can return as much as $5 in jobs and higher productivity.
The theme for this year is to value toilets.
This campaign focuses attention on the fact that toilets, and the systems supporting them, are often neglected, underfunded or poorly managed in many countries.It has devastating implications for the environment, health and economics, especially in the most vulnerable and marginalized areas.
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