World Toilet Day

Every year on 19 November, the world marks World Toilet Day, a day set aside to talk about something that affects everyone but is often left out of public discussion: toilets. In many African communities, talking about toilets is considered uncomfortable or even shameful. Yet for millions of people across the continent, the lack of safe, clean toilets is not just an inconvenience but a daily struggle that affects health, dignity, safety, and equality.

The idea of World Toilet Day began in 2001, when Singaporean social entrepreneur Jack Sim founded the World Toilet Organisation to urge the world to take sanitation seriously. For too long, sanitation has been treated as a minor issue, even though poor sanitation is one of the leading causes of disease and death in many developing regions. In 2013, the United Nations declared 19 November as World Toilet Day, linking it to Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Across Africa, the sanitation gap remains one of the largest in the world. According to the UN, more than 400 million people on the continent still practice open defecation, while millions more rely on unsafe or shared facilities that inadequately manage waste. For those living in informal settlements, rural villages, or displacement camps, access to a clean, private toilet is often a luxury.

The consequences are severe. Diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, and typhoid continue to claim lives, especially among children. Furthermore, poor sanitation contaminates water sources and contributes to environmental degradation. Beyond health, the issue also touches on education and gender equality. In many schools, there are not enough toilets and even fewer separate facilities for boys and girls. This forces many girls to miss classes, particularly during menstruation, and in some cases, to drop out altogether.

The absence of safe toilets also affects safety and dignity. Women and girls often have to walk long distances or wait until dark to relieve themselves, putting them at risk of harassment and sexual violence. For people living with disabilities, inaccessible toilets can mean a loss of independence and dignity.

Therefore, World Toilet Day reminds us that addressing sanitation is not just about infrastructure but also about respect, health, and equality. It is about making sure every person, regardless of where they live, has a safe and dignified place to go. It also calls on governments, civil society, and communities to treat sanitation as a shared responsibility.

Across Africa, progress is being made. From community-led sanitation projects to local innovations that turn waste into energy or fertiliser, change is happening. However, to reach everyone, there must be stronger investment, better planning, and more open conversations. Breaking the silence around toilets is the first step. When communities talk openly about sanitation, they can find practical, affordable solutions that fit their needs.