When we talk about basic needs, the first things that come to mind are food, clothing, and shelter. But there is one more thing that is just as important, if not more: sanitation.

Access to proper sanitation facilities is a basic human right, yet millions of people around the world do not have access to it. World Toilet Day is observed on November 19 every year with the aim of raising awareness about this critical issue.

The State of Sanitation Globally

According to the United Nations, 4.2 billion people live without safely managed sanitation. This means they do not have access to toilets connected to a system that safely removes and treats their waste.

Instead, they rely on pit latrines, open defecation, or other unsafe methods that can lead to the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.

The lack of sanitation facilities is particularly acute in developing countries, where around 80% of the population does not have access to safely managed sanitation.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, only 28% of the population has access to safely managed sanitation. This not only affects people’s health and well-being but also has economic and social consequences.

The Impacts of Poor Sanitation

Poor sanitation has wide-reaching impacts on communities and individuals. The most obvious impact is on health. Diseases caused by poor sanitation are responsible for the deaths of more than 400,000 children under five years old every year.

In addition, poor sanitation leads to lost productivity due to illness, missed school days, and medical expenses.

But poor sanitation also affects the environment, particularly water resources. Contaminated water sources can lead to further spread of diseases and can also have long-term impacts on ecosystems.

In addition, poor sanitation can lead to gender inequality, as women and girls are often responsible for collecting water and performing other related tasks.

The Importance of Investing in Sanitation

Investing in sanitation is not only a moral imperative but also makes economic sense.

According to the World Bank, every dollar invested in sanitation yields $5.50 in economic returns, primarily in the form of reduced health care costs and increased productivity.

One of the key challenges in improving sanitation is the lack of political will and funding. Sanitation is often seen as a low priority compared to other development issues, and funding for sanitation projects is limited.

However, there are examples of successful sanitation initiatives, such as the Indian government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, which aims to make India open defecation-free by constructing millions of toilets across the country.

The Role of Innovation

Innovation can play a critical role in improving access to sanitation. One example is the use of mobile technology to monitor and manage sanitation facilities.

In some developing countries, mobile apps have been developed to track the construction and maintenance of toilets in rural areas, which helps improve accountability and sustainability.

Other innovative approaches include using renewable energy to power sanitation facilities, such as solar-powered toilets. These toilets are self-contained, do not require water, and can generate electricity and biochar from waste products.

This not only provides a sustainable source of energy but also reduces the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of.

The Way Forward

Improving access to sanitation is a complex challenge that requires a multi-pronged approach. It requires investment in infrastructure, policy changes, and behavior change campaigns.

Governments, NGOs, and the private sector all have a role to play in addressing this issue.

Some key actions that can be taken include:.

Increasing funding for sanitation projects
Improving coordination between different stakeholders
Promoting behavior change through education and awareness-raising campaigns
Encouraging innovation through funding and other support mechanisms
Ensuring equity and inclusiveness in sanitation programs

Closing Thoughts

World Toilet Day is an opportunity to shine a light on an often-overlooked issue. It reminds us that access to sanitation facilities is a basic human right that should not be taken for granted.

By working together and investing in innovative solutions, we can ensure that everyone, regardless of where they live or their socio-economic status, has access to safe and dignified sanitation facilities.