World Toilet Day 2017: Its No Joke Let's Get Involved!

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014, it marked the beginning of the world’s largest ever sanitation drive.

Three years down the line, nearly 2.5 crore toilets were constructed in a bid to make India free of open defecation - PM Modi’s government cleanliness drive proved a tremendous success. Also, in the upcoming year, 1.5 crore more toilets will be constructed in rural areas.

However, a staggering 355 million women and girls are still waiting for a toilet; if they were all to stand in a queue, it would stretch around the Earth more than four times!” It also says that approx. 732 million Indians have no access to toilets and are thus forced to pass in the open. Still so far to go!

Top Highlights

• Approx. 732 million Indians have no access to toilets.
• India is lagged behind by China where 343 million people are living without decent toilet and sanitation facilities.

So, Why Toilets Are Important?

1. Lack of sanitation can lead to diseases which are transmitted through human waste.
2. Lack of sanitation can lead to contaminated drinking water, which is again extremely dangerous.
3. Lack of sanitation is costing global economic losses in developing countries.
4. Unsafe sanitation carries additional risks for many women - they are more vulnerable to sexual attacks.
5. Not having access to safe sanitation is also one of the top reasons why girls do not go on with schooling once they hit puberty.

What Should Be Done?

Creating awareness about basic sanitation requires a well-organised campaign with government agencies in association with NGOs, media, and many others working in tandem at the grassroots. These awareness campaigns should be intended for making a behavioural shift in the attitudes of the people at the ground level.

On World Toilet Day, let us reaffirm our commitment towards improving sanitation facilities across our planet! Let's spread the awareness about improved access to basic sanitation...