Why are toilets important?

Sanitation is a human right.

Everyone should have access to a toilet that is secure, hygienic and private, and connected to a safely managed sanitation system to properly dispose of waste.

When toilet systems are inadequate, damaged or broken, pollution spreads and deadly diseases get unleashed.

For women and girls in particular, a lack of safely managed sanitation, water and hygiene services leaves them more vulnerable to abuse, attack and ill-health, affecting their ability to study, work and live in dignity.

Toilets are more than a convenience – they are a human right and a cornerstone of public health, gender equality and climate resilience.

Faster and greater action on improving access to safe toilets will drive gains across sustainable development, human rights and peace.

What is World Toilet Day?

World Toilet Day has been an annual United Nations Observance since 2013. It was first celebrated in 2001 by the World Toilet Organization.

World Toilet Day is held every year on 19 November to celebrate toilets and raise awareness of people living without access to safely managed sanitation.

It is about taking action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

What happens on World Toilet Day?

World Toilet Day is a global call to action. Coordinated by UN-Water and promoted through the hashtag #WorldToiletDay, the campaign is marked by both online engagement and real-life events around the world.

Individuals, schools, governments, companies, and organizations take part by raising awareness, sharing stories, and holding events — from community clean-ups and school lessons to public talks and policy dialogues.

The aim is to shine a spotlight on the urgent need for safe, accessible toilets for everyone, everywhere — and to inspire concrete action to close the sanitation gap.