Sanitation is a universal human right. And for women and girls, a safe toilet can mean the difference between danger and safety, stigma and dignity, illness and health.
Clean, secure and reliable sanitation services – alongside safe water and hygiene facilities – are a source of protection and empowerment.
But across continents, unsafe or absent toilet facilities expose hundreds of millions of women and girls to risks ranging from loss of privacy to assault. They can make menstruation harder to manage and even discourage women from eating and drinking throughout the day.
These challenges restrict women and girls’ participation in public life, from education and employment to civic space. Between 2016 and 2022, more than 10 million teenage girls reported missing school, work or social activities during their last menstrual period. That is why a community without effective sanitation can never achieve gender equality.
Investing in healthy and inclusive sanitation has already improved the lives of millions. This is the essence of Sustainable Development Goal 6, Clean Water and Sanitation. Including women, girls and other vulnerable groups can help shape solutions and manage services that meet everyone’s needs.
This World Toilet Day, let us redouble our efforts to ensure toilets are accessible and safe, and accelerate progress towards a more equal future for all.
