On November 19, 2002, the progressive world community celebrated World Toilet Day for the first time, which was proclaimed in 2001 during an international conference on toilet issues held in Singapore. By the way, the location of the conference was not chosen by chance: Singapore is famous for the impeccable cleanliness of its latrines.
More than 200 delegates from Asia, Europe and North America, representing 17 national toilet associations, met to discuss pressing issues and consider new concepts for toilet development. The result of the meeting was the formation of the World Toilet Organization, which initiated the creation of the holiday.
Today, this day serves as a reminder to humanity that 3.5 billion people live without access to safe sanitation (that is, either do not have a toilet at home or their toilet is not equipped to safely dispose of sewage). One third of schools around the world do not have toilets. 900 million schoolchildren are unable to wash their hands after using the toilet due to lack of adequate facilities, which leads to the spread of disease.
Every day, 1,000 children under five die from diarrhoea caused by undrinkable water, sanitation and poor hygiene practices.2.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation facilities, including toilets or simply pit latrines, with disastrous consequences for human health, dignity and safety, the environment and socio-economic development.
In 2013, by its resolution (A/RES/67/291) «Sanitation for All», the UN General Assembly officially adopted 19 November as World Toilet Day and called for, taking into account shortcomings regarding sanitation targets in the context of the Goals Millennium Development Goals, take measures to improve sanitation. And the UN « — water network» today acts as the coordinator of World Toilet Day in collaboration with governments and interested participants.
The Assembly also invited all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe World Toilet Day in the context of the «Sanitation for All» initiative in an appropriate manner, including through educational outreach and public awareness-raising activities on the importance of ensuring access to sanitation for all.
Thus, as part of this international date, various events are being held in different countries aimed at attracting public attention to public places, improving the toilet system and increasing the hygienic standards of closets.
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