World Toilet Day in the United States

World Toilet Day, observed annually on November 19th, is a United Nations international day to raise awareness and inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. While not as widely recognized in the United States compared to some other countries, it still serves as a platform for discussing issues of water quality and sanitation.

History

• Establishment: World Toilet Day was established by the World Toilet Organization in 2001.
• UN Recognition: In 2013, the United Nations passed a resolution recognizing November 19th as World Toilet Day, thereby giving it greater legitimacy and global attention.

Traditions and Activities

In the United States, activities on World Toilet Day can include:

• Educational Campaigns: NGOs and sanitation-related businesses may hold educational campaigns about the importance of clean sanitation.
• Fundraising Events: Charity events might be organized to support water and sanitation projects both domestically and abroad.
• Social Media Engagement: Individuals and organizations use social media to spread messages using hashtags like #WorldToiletDay.
• Conferences or Talks: Experts in water and sanitation may hold talks or conferences discussing advances in toilet technology or public health implications of poor sanitation.

What People Do on This Day

• Advocacy: Some people become advocates by educating others about the 4.2 billion people living without access to safely managed sanitation.
• Volunteering: Volunteering time with local charities that work on improving access to toilets and clean water.
• Donations: Making donations to organizations working towards improving global access to toilets is another activity people might engage in.

While participation varies across different communities within the US, World Toilet Day serves as an important reminder of an often overlooked yet critical aspect of public health and dignity.