November 19th is World Toilet Day. No, it is not a joke. It is an official United Nations day to highlight the plight of the 2.5 billion people in the world who lack access to basic sanitation.
I’ve travelled fairly widely and experienced some pretty basic toilet facilities. Many people in the world do not even have access to a simple sheltered hole in the ground. They may use the local rivers, polluting the water or empty their waste into the streets, bringing disease.
The lack of toilet facilities is a particular problem for women and girls. ‘Open defecation’ is the new battleground for the rights of women and girls to be safe. Can you imagine needing to go to the toilet in the middle of the night and having to find somewhere private to relieve yourself? Can you imagine how frightening that would be? That’s exactly the experience for 1 in 3 women in the world.
This World Toilet Day consider supporting the work of organisations that are bringing clean water and toilets to the poorest people in our world, such as WaterAid. (The link will take you to the global site but they have local organisations.)
If you’re in Australia, there’s a very simple way to do some good in an every day act. Buy your toilet paper from Who Gives A Crap. Started by four young Aussie blokes in 2012 who wanted to make a difference, 50% of their profits go to WaterAid to fund sanitation facilities in the developing world. It’s really cool toilet paper and the business is operated with typical Australian humour. Confirmation emails come from wedo@whogivesacrap.org and every delivery comes with an ‘Emergency Roll’ with hilarious instructions as to its use.
It’s hard to imagine that something most of us take for granted every day could have such an impact on the health of so many but one child dies every minute from diseases caused by a lack of clean water and sanitation.
On World Toilet Day, it’s good to be reminded of the importance of the humble loo.
And because sometimes it’s best to get a difficult issue across using humour, here’s my favourite World Toilet Day video.
Master of Something I'm Yet To Discover 
Thank you for this informative post. I hadn’t heard of that loo paper, so shall look into it. 3 vidoes too, you have been busy researching this issue! That’s a high number of people with no access to proper sanitation. We are so lucky here in Australia!
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It’s also great quality loo paper, Barbara. I highly recommend it!
I have more videos! (I did a presentation to some kids and went looking for resources – couldn’t believe what was out there.) I’ve got some hilarious ones with Matt Damon and other celebrities.
We are indeed lucky.
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One in three? Dear God, that is a mind-boggling statistic and a very powerful video you’ve provided. Bill Gates is doing a lot of work with his foundation to develop high-tech, composting toilets for the third world which require very little to no water. And like Barbara says above, how lucky we in the first world are!
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Yes, one in three. I’ve been following the ‘Open Defecation’ issue for a while. There have been horrendous reports in India particularly of young girls being set upon by groups of men when looking for somewhere to go to the toilet. Doesn’t bear thinking about but we must think about it and act on it in whatever way we can.
Whatever your feelings about Microsoft, there is no denying that Bill and Melinda Gates are doing some amazing work in the world.
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I agree with Silver in the Barn on the one in three statistic. Really? How often do I take this luxury for granted?
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According to United Nations estimates, yes, one in three. Hardly seems right, does it? A wake up call, certainly.
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Wow. I had no idea on any of this. A very worthwhile post!
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Thank you! I am so glad this has spread the message further. Sometimes we can forget that things we take for granted are not necessarily available to everyone. It’s always good to be reminded, I think.
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Thank you for bringing this to our awareness. So much in our first world lives we take forgranted.
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Thanks, Sue. I think this is why these days are so important. It gives impetus to spreading the message to as many as possible. We may have our problems, but we are really incredibly fortunate in the First World.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-19/world-toilet-day-art-aims-to-lift-the-lid-on-the-loo-taboo/5903622
So THAT’s what was going on in Circular Quay today !!! Couldn’t work it out (perhaps because everyone was walking into me on account of having their eyes left or right and not forward !). {grin}
Goodonyermate: I’m going to buy some loo rolls from the lads RIGHT NOW !
X !
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I now I have done it. Bought the stuff, I mean. But come to think of it …
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Come to think of what? (Sorry for late reply. Been to election training.)
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Only the gods know how to train you to deal with that kind of thing.
Still, you probably don’t need it: the testosterone quartet must have you trained for just about anything.
{grin}
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Yes, I believe the same applies to why I am succeeding in a challenging educational setting! (BTW, currently down to a trio and for next two days will be down to a mere duet.)
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Will you be ALRIGHT ??????
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I’m really not sure. It’s weird already. PLUS, we are babysitting my brother’s dog. She’s a girl. So tomorrow, counting furry family members, it will be a male-female ratio of 3-2. I’m not sure how to cope with that.
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No … that’s truly weird.
Best spend the day in bed.
😉
Night mate: I’m off to bed. ‘Plane leaves at 7.
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Have a good journey and fabulous visit!
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Ah yes, I saw this on WGAC’s Facebook feed. I love their installation behind the toilets. 🙂
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😦
Not being a facebook person, I didn’t know I was behind the noos.
I don’t care but.
Going down to Geelong tomorrow: back at the end of the day.
I do wish I were able to make it a more … interactive day.
X !
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Oh, me too! But completely understand. Working tomorrow in any case. Hey, we’ve done a trade. Sydney gives us you and we give Sydney The Husband.
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Pity. I should like to shadow him and peer at him from behind a pillar, in hopes of being able to see what gives him the strength …
{grin}
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😛
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Like you MOSY I’ve seen enough of the world to have experienced first hand facilities that range from palatial to non-existent. We may think of it as an ‘adventure’, while it is a daily reality for far too many.
This is just one more example of why I love the Aussies ❤
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“We may think of it as an ‘adventure’, while it is a daily reality for far too many.” I love this comment, Joanne. So true. Thank you.
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What a very humbling post! Those statistics are shocking. The loo rolls idea is such a good one. Shame it’s not more widespread.
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Thanks Jo. (And for tweeting the link.) Might be worth contacting WGAC and asking if they think they’ll ever ship internationally or if they know of others doing similar things where you are.
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I’ll do that. It deserves to succeed. 🙂
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Brilliant! Thanks for the information. Just had a look at the WGAC website -awesome. Now wondering who I can give a toilet paper gift card to for Christmas :).
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I just bought a whole box of Christmas wrapped rolls. Guess what the teachers are getting for gifts this year? 😀
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