Celebrated World Toilet Day 2019

-Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator

Globally, November 19 is celebrated as World Toilet Day to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. Since 2013, the United Nations has observed November 19 as World Toilet Day to draw the world's attention to the importance of accessible toilets and their role in improving hygiene and health around the world.  The theme for this year’s World Toilet Day was “Leaving No One Behind”. Based on this theme, ENPHO and Paschim Paaila celebrated World Toilet Day organizing events solely and in collaboration with Guthi, WaterAid Nepal, KMC and other organizations to raise awareness and mark the day.

The event included Toilet Walk-a-thon and Exhibition. Toilet Walk-a-thon was organized  in collaboration with GUTHI, WaterAid Nepal and other organization whereas Exhibition was organized by ENPHO and Paschim Paaila.

Event Highlights:

1  1. Toilet Walk-a-thon: In support of WaterAid Nepal, GUTHI in collaboration with KMC, Paschim Paaila, ENPHO and other 13 organizations and academics like UEMS, Autism Care Nepal, Kathmandu University, Tribhuvan University organized Toilet Walk-a-thon on 19 November, 2019 on the occasion of World Toilet Day to advocate for better public toilets and safely managed sanitation. The route of Toilet Walk-a-thon covered 8 public toilets started from Bhrikuti Mandap and ended at Basantapur.

More than 300 people including youths, WASH professionals and practitioners, political leaders, government officials and media personal became a part of the rally. A mobile toilet led the rally which became center of attraction for the public. Former Environment Minister Ganesh Shah insisted that Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) should now come into consideration with safe and clean public toilets during closing remarks of the event.

2. Exhibition: An exhibition stall was placed near the public toilet opposite of Bir Hospital to aware and share information related to Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) to general public on 19 November, 2019. The message related to FSM was shared displaying various information, education and communication (IEC) materials which included posters, leaflets, booklets, manuals and case studies. A model of FSM was displayed in the stall which remained main attraction for visitors. Also the result of KAP survey was disseminated in the stall. More than 350 general public visited the exhibition stall.