‘When Nature Calls’

A toilet is one of the most important places that is normally taken for granted. We all take note of the importance of a toilet when nature calls and we are pressed to relieve ourselves.
Annually, 19 November is World Toilet Day which highlights the importance of a toilet for human dignity and health and inspires action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. This year, the theme is “When Nature Calls” highlighting the serious importance of a proper toilet when nature calls. The theme also emphasizes the importance of a toilet for human health and a healthy environment.
A toilet gives a person dignity and at the same time saves lives as human waste not disposed of in a correct manner spreads diseases. Sanitation is a human right and everyone deserves a proper toilet for human dignity. Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) talks about ensuring availability and sustainable management of sanitation and water for all by 2030 which makes the availability of proper toilets critical for the attainment of this key developmental goal.
We all need to work together to ensure that everyone has access to a dignified toilet as currently about 4.5 billion people live without a safe toilet and 892 million still practice open defecation. Relieving oneself in an unhygienic facility exposes people to human faeces which are dangerous to spreading killer diseases. It is therefore crucial that we all have access to proper and hygienic toilets to prevent the spread of diseases and ensure a healthy society. The lack of proper toilets in most hijacked buildings in the Inner City has been a major concern over the years, this has led to a spate of property raids by the City fathers who seek to alleviate poverty as well as provide adequate, dignified housing facilities for residents.