World Toilet Day: A Global Call for Sanitation Awareness

World Toilet Day is an annual observance that highlights the critical need for access to safe and clean sanitation worldwide. It aims to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis, which affects billions of people and is a key component of Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Quick Facts

• When is it?: November 19
• Tagged as: United Nations Observance
• What’s the hashtag?: #WorldToiletDay
• When was it founded?: 2001 (unofficially), 2013 (officially by the UN)
• Who founded it?: Jack Sim, founder of the World Toilet Organization

History of World Toilet Day

The day was first established in 2001 by Jack Sim, a Singaporean philanthropist who founded the World Toilet Organization. The name “World Toilet Day” was chosen to make the issue more relatable and easier to communicate. In 2013, it gained official recognition as a United Nations Observance through a resolution proposed by Singapore. Since then, it has been a platform to raise awareness about sanitation challenges and advocate for solutions globally.

Timeline

• 2001: World Toilet Organization founded; November 19 declared World Toilet Day.
• 2010: UN recognizes water and sanitation as a human right.
• 2013: UN officially designates November 19 as World Toilet Day.
• 2015: Sanitation becomes part of Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Dates by Next Year (2025–2030)

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	November 19	Wednesday
2026	November 19	Thursday
2027	November 19	Friday
2028	November 19	Sunday
2029	November 19	Monday
2030	November 19	Tuesday

Observed

World Toilet Day is observed globally by governments, NGOs, corporations, schools, and individuals. Activities include awareness campaigns, educational events, social media drives, and initiatives to improve sanitation infrastructure in underserved communities.

Fun Facts About Toilets

• The average person spends three years of their life on the toilet.
• More people in the world have access to mobile phones than toilets.
• NASA spent over $20 million designing a space toilet!

Quiz

1. When is World Toilet Day observed?
2. Who founded the World Toilet Organization?
3. What percentage of the world lacks access to improved sanitation?

Answers:

1. November 19
2. Jack Sim
3. Approximately 40%

FAQs

Q: Why is World Toilet Day important?
A: It raises awareness about global sanitation challenges and promotes actions to ensure everyone has access to safe toilets.

Q: What does SDG 6 aim for?
A: SDG 6 aims to ensure sustainable water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Related

• Global Handwashing Day
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
• Menstrual Hygiene Day
• International Men’s Day (also on November 19)