World Day: 2.4 Billion People Live Without a Toilet

Maria and her children stand in front of the place where they go to wash themselves. Photo: UNICEF Angola/2016/Simancas

“Toilets play a crucial role in creating a strong economy. A lack of toilets at work and at home has severe consequences, including poor health leading to absenteeism, reduced concentration, exhaustion, and decreased productivity,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a message on the Day.

Meanwhile, 17 per cent of workplace deaths are caused by disease transmission – an incentive to invest in access to proper sanitation in order to avoid the approximately $260 billion that is lost every year due to poor sanitation and unsafe water.

According to the Secretary-General, “every dollar invested in water and sanitation leads to $4 in economic returns.”

Investing in appropriate toilets is especially important for women and girls,” he says, “so that they have private, clean and safe facilities, and are able to manage menstruation or pregnancy safely.”

Safe access to clean toilets is critical to implementing Goal 6 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which calls for clean water and sanitation for all.

“Delivering on this basic human right,” said Ban, “is good for people, business, and the economy. Let us continue working towards a world where everyone, everywhere, has adequate and equitable sanitation.” (Source: UN).

2016 Human Wrongs Watch