World Toilet Day

What Is World Toilet Day?

November 19th is "World Toilet Day." It began with the founding of the World Toilet Organization, set up by Jack Sim of Singapore, on this day in 2001, and was officially adopted as a United Nations international day by the UN General Assembly in July 2013.

From a Private Initiative to a UN International Day

After the World Toilet Organization was founded, events and initiatives addressing toilet and sanitation issues spread around the world every November 19th. In response, the UN formally established the day, aiming to encourage member states to expand access to toilets and improve sanitation.

• Beginning: the founding of the World Toilet Organization and the World Toilet Summit on November 19, 2001
• UN adoption: officially established as an international day by the UN General Assembly on July 24, 2013
• Purpose: to promote access to toilets and improve sanitation around the world
• In Japan: the Japan Committee for UNICEF shares information through its World Toilet Day project

A Safe Toilet Protects Human Dignity

Many people around the world still live without access to a safe toilet. Open defecation can cause illness as germs reach people's mouths through hands, insects, and water. Having no private place to relieve oneself is also a serious issue, especially for adolescent girls, and some girls are said to miss school because there is no toilet. A clean, safe toilet protects not only health but also each person's dignity. Japan also has a separate "Toilet Day" on November 10th.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Read about global sanitation from sources such as UNICEF
• Use the toilets at work and at home a little more carefully than usual
• Thank the people who keep the toilets clean
• Learn about organizations working on sanitation issues

Thinking About the World Through an Everyday Toilet

A life with running water and a clean toilet is far from universal. November 19th is a day to appreciate the toilets around us and to think about sanitation around the world.