World Toilet Day 2023:How sanitation revolution can end the scourge of open defecation – By Titilayo Ilesanmi

Today is world toilet day, an 24 hour opportunity in the year 2023 to catalogue the progress made so far in sanitary behaviours around the world.

Howbeit, it is expedient to come into an understanding of the pervading health risks that comes with unhygienic practices in different spaces.

A staggering reality persists in Nigeria, with a significant portion of the population engaging in the unhygienic practice of open defecation.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria finds itself among the nations grappling with the highest rates of open defecation globally.

Recent data exposes a daunting truth – over 90 million Nigerians, approximately 46% of the population, lack access to proper sanitation facilities, compelling them to resort to open defecation.

The consequences of this practice extend beyond personal discomfort; it poses severe health hazards and contributes to broader health crises.

In response to this alarming situation, the United Nations annually observes World Toilet Day on November 19, emphasizing the urgent need to curb the perilous practice of open defecation. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis and mobilize action to address this pressing issue.

Open defecation stands as one of the world’s health hazards, exacerbated by the absence of proper and well-managed toilet facilities.

The lack of access to safe toilets has contributed to health crises worldwide, making initiatives like World Toilet Day crucial in addressing this critical public health concern.

As of now, 3.5 billion people globally live without safe toilets, with approximately 420 million individuals worldwide, including 48 million in Nigeria, still practicing open defecation.

Shockingly, nearly 1,000 children die every day globally from diarrhea related to poor sanitation and contaminated water sources.

Without clean and safe toilets, human waste contaminates food and water sources, increasing the risk of illness. This global crisis not only poses a threat to nature but also endangers public health, particularly affecting women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.

Access to safe toilets is more than just a matter of convenience; it serves as a protective shield for children, especially girls and women, against the risks of attacks and abuse associated with open defecation in secluded areas.

Pharmacist Fasuba Kayode, a senior pharmacist with the Ekiti State Ministry of Health and Human Services, highlights the visible dangers of open defecation. Beyond water contamination, open defecation releases airborne pathogens that contribute to the spread of diseases, adding another layer to the complexity of this health crisis.

In response to this challenge, concerned citizens like Lanre Akinwale have taken the initiative to build mobile toilets, recognizing the need for strict measures to curb the practice and promote sanitation.

The high levels of open defecation are intrinsically linked to high child mortality, poor nutrition, and poverty.

World Toilet Day 2023 is themed “Accelerating Change: Taking Simple Actions to Tackle the Global Sanitation Crisis.

“This campaign aims to bring about a transformative shift and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, focusing on ‘safe toilets and water for all by 2030.”

With just seven years left to this ambitious target, it is imperative for responsible citizens to wholeheartedly commit to eradicating open defecation in our society.

After all, there is nothing more priceless than living in good health. As World Toilet Day beckons, the call is clear – it’s time to accelerate change, take simple actions, and pave the way for a sanitation revolution in Nigeria.

Written by Titilayo Ilesanmi ( Writer and Columnist )