Many of us take basic sanitation for granted. We live in hygienic conditions, have access to clean water supplies and use what is, for many, an unimaginable luxury – a toilet.
We are facing a global sanitation crisis. 2.5 billion people in today’s world do not have access to proper sanitation, such as a decent toilet or latrine. Of these people, over a billion have no choice but to defecate in the open. This is a staggering figure, made all the more alarming by the human toll. Every year, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene claim the lives of 2.2 million children under the age of five.
Women and girls who don’t have access to a latrine may wait until after dark to defecate. Walking to and from communal defecation fields at night can place them at risk of assault so when women have access to private latrines, they are less vulnerable to violence. When schools offer safe and private toilet facilities, 11 per cent more girls attend.
On Tuesday, the first-ever World Toilet Day is being marked around the world as an opportunity for action on an issue that is, for so many, a matter of life or death.
But better sanitation isn’t just life-saving, it is also an excellent economic investment. Poor water and sanitation cost developing countries around $260 billion a year -- 1.5 per cent of their gross domestic product. Yet every dollar invested can bring a five-fold return by keeping people healthy and productive. If even a fraction of the money spent dealing with health problems caused by poor sanitation was directed to improving it, many more people would be enjoying healthier lives.
Toilets represent a major business opportunity. Many of those without access to sanitation are willing to pay for improved, affordable services. They represent a vast market, with the potential to generate substantial revenues for entrepreneurs who offer innovative and cost-effective solutions.
The private sector can have a significant impact by manufacturing products such as soap and hygienic pads that are affordable for all. Companies and employers can also ensure proper and adequate sanitation facilities at all workplaces. And business leaders can get involved by collaborating with the international community to contribute solutions through initiatives such as the UN Global Compact's CEO Water Mandate.
It’s time for an open and frank discussion on sanitation. Let’s use World Toilet Day to take action and spread the word about the importance of toilets – for the global economy, for the planet and, not least, for the one-third of humanity currently deprived of what the rest of us take for granted.
Find out more about the drive to achieve sanitation for all.
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