World Toilet Day

World Toilet Day

Will you pay to pee on World Toilet Day?

 

Can you imagine having nowhere to go to the toilet? Or going in the open where people can see you?

 

World Toilet Day on 19 November will raise awareness of the lack of toilets worldwide, as it's no joke that 2.3 billion people don't have access to a safe toilet and that almost 900 children die every day from diarrhoea caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.

 

'Did you know that more people in the world have a mobile phone than a toilet? One in three of the world's population don't have access to a safe toilet. It's a topic that can be hard to discuss so this November WaterAid wants to get everyone talking about toilets," said Ms Rosie Wheen, WaterAid Australia Chief Executive.

 

Around World Toilet Day in November WaterAid is encouraging people in their workplaces, community groups and schools to Pay to Pee every time they use the loo to help some of the world's poorest people access sanitation, hygiene and safe water.

 

Find out more about Pay to Pee and other World Toilet Day activities at: www.itsnojoke.org.au In addition to Pay to Pee people can hold a comedy night or comedy quiz.

 

'In Australia having a day all about toilets may seem funny. But for millions of people around the world it's no laughing matter. Many people have no choice but to face the indignity of going to the loo in the open, where they are exposed to disease and vulnerable to harassment and attack," said Ms Wheen.

 

Money raised from World Toilet Day fundraising will help give families in the world's poorest communities access to safe water, toilets and hygiene. 

 

'With local people and partners, WaterAid helps the world's poorest communities to build toilets, always making sure it's the right kind of toilet for the local area. We use local materials and low-cost solutions," said Ms Wheen. 'WaterAid campaigns for governments to target their development efforts and spending on sanitation. We know that toilets save lives. Health is improved, fewer days are lost to sickness, and girls stay in school longer."

Interesting toilet facts

In a row of toilet cubicles, the first cubicle is generally the least used and therefore the cleanest.

 

King George II died from falling off a toilet in 1760. The fall caused a rapture in the right ventricle of the 77 year old King's heart.

 

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho was the first American movie to show the act of a toilet flushing.

 

The average person spends 3 months of their lifetime on the toilet.

The English word 'fart" means 'speed" in Norwegian.

 

The dual flush is an Australian invention. Invented by Bruce Thompson of Caroma in 1980.

 

Paris was the first European city to offer separate toilets to men and women in 1739.  

 

The International Space Station toilet was the most expensive toilet ever built - A$22.5 million.

 

World Toilet Day activities

What: Pay to Pee or host a comedy night or quiz around World Toilet Day

When: November 2016

Who: Anyone can help transform the lives of the world's poorest and most marginalised people with safe water, sanitation and hygiene by getting involved in World Toilet Day activities and making a donation.

Why: Over 2.3 billion people, or one in three, do not have access to adequate sanitation and almost 900 children die every day from diarrhoea caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.

How: Go to www.itsnojoke.org.au

 

Photo Credit: WaterAid/Tom Greenwood