World Toilet Day| Significance, Theme, Government Initiatives and Brand Concerns

To raise public awareness of broader sanitation systems such as wastewater treatment, stormwater management and hand washing, the United Nations observes November 19 as World Toilet Day. The UN General Assembly officially declared World Toilet Day in 2013 after Singapore had tabled the resolution.

Today, nearly 3.6 billion people live with poor-quality toilets that not only ruin their health but also pollute the environment. Reportedly, more than 800 children under five years of age die from diarrhoea which is mainly caused by unsafe water, sanitation and poor hygiene. Exploring how inadequate sanitation systems harm humans and pollute the environment by spreading human waste into rivers, lakes and soil, polluting underground water resources, the theme for World Toilet Day 2022 is Making the Invisible Visible. SURFACES REPORTER (SR) throws more light on the subject…

The sanitation infrastructure in India is slowly rising. The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) is organizing Swachhta Run across rural India, to mark World Toilet Day and create action and awareness. The Swachh Bharat Mission led by the Modi Government represents the influential force of people’s participation. It aims at educating and inculcating healthy and hygienic behaviors among the masses. Another engaging initiative of the government is Swachhta Run which creates awareness on the usage of toilet, safe sanitation and visual cleanliness aligned to SBM(G) phase II components.

While nationwide campaigns by the government have raised concerns and created awareness, many brands are also joining in with their initiatives. Last year, Roca released a short film Clean Your Heart to showcase the issue of access to toilet that is faced by millions of domestic help. Hindware also helped millions of girls to get back to school through the Build a Toilet, Build her Future campaign and continues to carry forward this initiative today as well. The brand is also committed to those who are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of toilets across India. Additionally, oil marketing companies have also announced the launch of Drive Fresh, an initiative to set up clean and hygienic toilets at their fuel stations along tourist routes and national parks.

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