How to Observe World Toilet Day

World Toilet Day was first unofficially observed on 19th November 2001[1] – but on 24th July 2013, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated 19th November as World Toilet Day.[2] Since then, 19th November is observed as World Toilet Day annually to take action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.[3] It is intended to celebrate toilets and raise awareness about the billions of people living without a proper toilet.[4] Would you like to do your part to help on this day? We here at wikiHow will cover what you do to help with the global sanitation crisis.

Method 1
Method 1 of 10:
Get to know the theme of the year.

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    Each year, there is a different theme for World Toilet Day. For example, in 2021, the theme for World Toilet Day is ‘Valuing Toilets’.[5] In 2021, this day aims to raise awareness about the 3.6 billion[6] [7] to 4.5 billion[8] [9] people who are living without access to safely managed sanitation.[10]
    • World Toilet Day also plans to help achieve Sustainable Development Goal #6, which involves all having access to sanitation and clean water by the year 2030.[11]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 10:
Educate yourself.

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    Education is crucial to work towards any goal.[12] It's important to understand the global sanitation crisis, because it'll help you understand its seriousness. It's also important to find reliable information, and exchange knowledge with each other. Sources of information could be anything—the internet, books, or even other people, as long as the information is credible.
    • Research the history of toilets, if you'd like. Toilets weren't always as they are now! If you're one who likes to gather additional knowledge and research, learning about the history of toilets could be fun for you.
    • Plan a trip to a toilet museum if you want. To preserve the history of the toilet, there are lots of museums dedicated to the global history of sanitation and toilets.[13] These are to remind us of the evolution of our toilets and sanitary systems.[14]

Method 3
Method 3 of 10:
Wear blue.

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    Support organizations that are working for toilets by wearing blue. ‘Blue for the Loo’ is a way to involve everyone who is fundraising to show support for organizations working for the availability of toilets.[15] If you can, wear blue on this day.
    • Consider wearing blue, painting your face blue, cooking blue food, or even wearing a water-themed costume.[16] [17]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 10:
Help spread the word.

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    For some, World Toilet Day is relatively unknown. Informing others about the day is a great way to celebrate it! You can start with family, friends, classmates, co-workers and anyone else you know. You can talk about this with them on social media, over text or on the phone, or even just in conversation with them.
    • You can talk about how and when World Toilet Day started to be observed, statistics about people who don't have access to toilets, and any other facts you might know about this day or its goals and aims.
    • Be direct while you have the conversation. For example, you might say “Hey! Did you know that it's World Toilet Day every year on 19th November? It's observed to raise awareness about the billions of people living without a toilet. Toilet Day was first observed in 2001, but in 2013, the UN officially declared 19th November as World Toilet Day.”
    • Avoid speaking in a jokey tone, and emphasize the fact that such a day officially exists. Use official sites like https://www.un.org/en/observances/toilet-day if you need to, as evidence that you're not joking.
    • Don't be embarrassed to state the facts. Explain everything properly, avoid rushing through the discussion, and be prepared to answer any questions that they might have!

Method 5
Method 5 of 10:
Take a “toilet selfie” and share it online.

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    Show how lucky you are to have a toilet by sharing selfies with one. Every time you visit the bathroom, remind yourself how lucky you are to have a toilet! Instead of thinking of toilets as “dirty”, “dark”, or “smelly” places, think of them as “clean”, “bright”, and “not smelly” places.[18] This doesn't mean toilets can't ever be dirty, dark, or smelly at times, but they don't have to be.
    • Take a selfie with a toilet, and share it on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Flickr or Twitter with hashtags like #toiletselfie.[19]
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Method 6
Method 6 of 10:
Do a “big squat”, raising awareness about open defecation.

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    Share photos of you squatting online. About 1 billion people (15% of the global population) still practise open defecation[20] – try the “big squat” to raise awareness about it. Typically, to do it, you visit a public place, gather up family and friends, squat, take photos or videos and upload them on social media.[21]
    • Because of COVID-19, it's important to practice social distancing and avoid public gatherings, so consider trying the big squat by yourself at home, or in less-crowded places.[22]
    • ‘Stop, drop, squat and share!’ Click photos, or even shoot videos, and share them on social media platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Vine, Instagram, Flickr, Facebook or Twitter with hashtags like #bigsquat, #worldtoiletday and #opendefecation.[23]

Method 7
Method 7 of 10:
Write to your local representatives.

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    Let your representatives know that you support toilet maintenance. Send an e-mail or write a letter to your local representative or other government official, and let them know that public toilets in your region concern you.[24]
    • Consider whether your area needs new toilet facilities, and whether or not the ones you have are safely accessible, clean and well-maintained. If you think the toilet ratio for men and women is inappropriate, mention that, too.[25]
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Method 8
Method 8 of 10:
Pay to pee if you can.

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    In some countries, public toilets can ask you for money.[26] The exact amount may vary, but it generally won’t be a lot—so try to pay it when you can! Think of it as a small donation every time you use the toilet.[27]
    • This money will generally be used for the maintenance of toilets, but never know how much a person who used to practice pen defecation would appreciate it if they get to access well-maintained public toilets![28]

Method 9
Method 9 of 10:
Set up a fundraiser.

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    Fundraisers are great ways to raise awareness about an issue. It not only spreads the word to people you know, but it also spreads the word to your community. Consider organizing a fundraiser, if you can.[29]
    • Try to get as many people involved as possible—the more people who are involved, the larger the difference will be.
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Method 10

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    Many organizations are helping with the global sanitation crisis. Consider donating to one of them to support their efforts. You don't need to donate a large sum—even seemingly tiny donations can make a difference!

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Should I get a new toilet for World Toilet Day? I don't want to have to spend a lot of money.
    Butterfly
    Butterfly
    Community Answer
    No, unless you require it. World Toilet Day isn't just about getting new toilets, but rather is about making them available to those who don't have one and helping fight the global sanitation crisis. Toilets typically need replacement every 25 years, so if your toilet is newer than that and is in good condition, there's really no need to replace it. Getting a new toilet can be expensive – and you don't want to be spending extra money unless you require it. If your toilet is old and damaged, however, it might be a good time to get a new one.

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References

  1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Toilet_Day
  2. ↑ https://www.fao.org/land-water/resources/events-detail/en/c/1417185/
  3. ↑ https://www.fao.org/land-water/resources/events-detail/en/c/1417185/
  4. ↑ https://www.unicef.org/stories/7-fast-facts-about-toilets
  5. ↑ https://www.gwp.org/en/About/more/Events-and-Calls/2021/world-toilet-day-2021/
  6. ↑ https://www.unwater.org/world-toilet-day-2021-valuing-toilets/
  7. ↑ https://www.worldtoiletday.info/
  8. ↑ https://www.unicef.org/stories/7-fast-facts-about-toilets
  9. ↑ https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2020/11/19/default-calendar/world-toilet-day-2020-sustainable-sanitation-and-climate-change
  1. ↑ https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2020/11/19/default-calendar/world-toilet-day-2020-sustainable-sanitation-and-climate-change
  2. ↑ https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2020/11/19/default-calendar/world-toilet-day-2020-sustainable-sanitation-and-climate-change
  3. ↑ https://www.endvawnow.org/en/articles/49-public-awareness-and-education.html
  4. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulabh_International_Museum_of_Toilets
  5. ↑ https://toiletology.com/resources/museums/
  6. ↑ https://www.toilettwinning.org/blue-for-the-loo/
  7. ↑ https://www.wateraid.org/au/get-involved/world-toilet-day-fundraising-activities-and-ideas
  8. ↑ https://www.toilettwinning.org/blue-for-the-loo/
  9. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/nov/24/10-steps-to-ending-open-defecation-by-2030
  10. ↑ https://www.worldtoilet.org/ten-things-you-can-do-for-un-world-toilet-day/
  11. ↑ https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/2013/jmp_fast_facts.pdf?ua=1
  12. ↑ https://www.worldtoilet.org/ten-things-you-can-do-for-un-world-toilet-day/
  13. ↑ https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
  14. ↑ https://www.worldtoilet.org/ten-things-you-can-do-for-un-world-toilet-day/
  15. ↑ https://www.worldtoilet.org/ten-things-you-can-do-for-un-world-toilet-day/
  16. ↑ https://www.worldtoilet.org/ten-things-you-can-do-for-un-world-toilet-day/
  17. ↑ https://www.insider.com/bathrooms-around-the-world-2018-7
  18. ↑ https://www.wateraid.org/au/get-involved/world-toilet-day-fundraising-activities-and-ideas
  19. ↑ https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/sustainable/world-toilet-day2019.html
  20. ↑ https://www.gofundme.com/c/blog/raise-awareness
  21. ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 6,688 times.
12 votes - 77%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: November 5, 2021
Views: 6,688
Categories: Awareness Raising Events | Sustainable Living | Toilets
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