Why are toilets important?
Sanitation is a human right.
Everyone should have access to a safe, hygienic and private toilet that is connected to a safely managed sanitation service to properly dispose of waste.
Inadequate, damaged or broken toilets cause pollution and the spread of deadly diseases.
The lack of safely managed sanitation, water and hygiene services makes women and girls more vulnerable to abuse, attacks and poor health, undermining their ability to study, work and live with dignity.
Toilets are more than a convenience: they are a human right and a cornerstone of public health, gender equality and climate resilience.
Faster and stronger action to improve access to safe toilets will drive progress in sustainable development, human rights and peace.
What is World Toilet Day?
World Toilet Day is an annual United Nations observance that has taken place since 2013. It was first celebrated in 2001, when it was organized by the World Toilet Organization.
World Toilet Day is observed every year on 19 November to celebrate toilets and raise awareness about the people living without access to safely managed sanitation systems.
It emphasizes the need for action to address the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.
What happens on World Toilet Day?
World Toilet Day is a global call to action. The campaign, coordinated by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ-Water and promoted through the hashtags #WorldToiletDay and #WorldToilet, features online participation and in-person events around the world.
Individuals, schools, government entities, businesses and organizations participate by raising awareness, sharing stories and launching initiatives ranging from community clean-up days and educational activities in schools to public talks and policy discussions.
The goal is to highlight the urgent need for safe and accessible toilets for everyone, everywhere, and to inspire concrete action to close the sanitation gap.
Who is behind World Toilet Day 2025?
World Toilet Day is coordinated by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ-Water, the United Nations inter-agency coordination mechanism for water and sanitation. Each year, one or more Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ-Water members and partners lead the campaign with the support of an expert group.