World Toilet Day 2013

World Toilet Day – 19 November

The World Toilet Day (WTD) was observed across the world on 19 November 2013. In the world about a third of the world’s people don’t have an access to a decent toilet.  As per the United Nations about 2.5 billion people do not have an access to adequate sanitation and about 1 billion people practice open defecation, which contributes many diseases. Each year, more than 800000 children under 5 die from diarrhea, many due to poor sanitation. To address these issues, the “Sanitation for All” Resolution was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in July 2013, designating 19 November as World Toilet Day.

About the World Toilet Day: In 2001 WTO declared 19 November World Toilet Day (WTD). It is celebrated in over 19 countries with over 51 events being hosted by various water and sanitation advocates on this day. The World Toilet Organization created World Toilet Day to raise global awareness of the struggle 2.5 billion face every day without access to proper, clean sanitation. World Toilet Day also brings to the forefront the health, emotional and psychological consequences the poor endure as a result of inadequate sanitation.  World Toilet Day popularity is gaining momentum, and in 2010 there were 51 events spanning 19 countries. The Big Squat campaign of the World Toilet Organization has generated 24 Big Squats globally and in Singapore over 600 squatters joined the cause in six locations island-wide.

World Toilet Summit: Earlier the World Toilet Summit in 2013 was observed from 2 to 4 October 2013 in Central Java, Indonesia. The 13th session of the World Toilet Summit was held in support of the World Toilet Organization and the Indonesia Toilet Association (ATI), and supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of Public Works and the Government of Surakarta.

            The World Toilet Summit is an annual event, which is organized by the World Toilet Organization in partnership with a host government, since 2001. The summit has been held in 10 countries across the world namely Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Ireland, Russia, Thailand, India, USA and South Africa. The inaugural World Toilet Summit was held in Singapore in 2001.