credits: Kampala Capital City Authority and Water for People, Uganda

Each World Toilet Day, the World reflects on the significance of safe sanitation—an essential service that often goes overlooked in the global development discourse. This year’s theme, ‘Toilets: A Place for Peace’, underscores how the simple provision of a toilet can foster security, health, and dignity. Yet for many communities, inadequate sanitation systems fall short of offering peace, instead exposing people to severe risks.  

The stories we must not ignore 

Unsafe and poorly constructed sanitation facilities can be fatal. In recent years, the world has witnessed heartbreaking incidents of children losing lives due to collapsing latrines or unprotected pits. This year, several incidents have highlighted the fatal consequences of inadequate and unsafe sanitation. In Kenya, an 8-year-old boy died after falling into an abandoned pit latrine in his school, while a 4-year-old girl also perished after falling into an uncovered one. In Uganda, an 11-year-old pupil lost his life when a school latrine he was using collapsed. Tragedy also struck in Nigeria, where three adults died in a pit latrine incident. 

These incidents are not isolated; they reflect a broader global crisis that disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, particularly children, revealing stark inequities in access to safely managed sanitation. These tragedies are preventable. 

Sanitation as a cornerstone for health and stability 

The importance of safe sanitation extends far beyond mere convenience; it is fundamental to public health and community stability. For many, a toilet is a place of privacy and safety. Yet, for 3.5 billion people worldwide, this basic human need remains unmet. Unsafe sanitation poses significant health risks, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where facilities are often poorly constructed. Toilets in these regions are frequently open pits covered by unstable materials, posing dangers to both children and adults. This inadequate infrastructure turns spaces meant for safety into sites of potential harm, undermining peace and community security. 

The health risks associated with poor sanitation are well documented. Diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea spread easily in environments where human waste is improperly managed. According to WHO, inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene contribute to 1.4 million deaths annually, with unsafe sanitation alone responsible for 564,000 of these deaths. Diarrheal diseases alone kill approximately 400,000 children under five annually. Beyond these direct health impacts, unsafe sanitation affects a community’s education, economic opportunities, and overall quality of life. 

The recent tragedies serve as a grim reminder that inadequate sanitation is not just a public health issue but also a safety concern. The danger posed by unsafe sanitation is especially severe for children. The horrific incidents in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Nigeria, and South Africa point to a larger problem. In communities across sub-Saharan Africa, pit latrines are often the only available sanitation option, many of which are constructed without proper materials or support. 

Imagine sending your child to school, only to discover that their sanitation facilities are unsafe and unstable. For parents in low-income countries, this is a daily reality – a painful reminder that even something as basic as a toilet can be a source of constant fear. The physical hazards associated with pit latrines are just one dimension; there is also the social and psychological toll of living without a safe and private place. Lack of access to adequate sanitation facilities also disproportionately affects girls and women, who often face additional risks to their safety and dignity when forced to use unsafe public toilets or go outdoors to relieve themselves. In every sense, toilets should be sanctuaries, that offer safety and comfort. 

The concept of peace in the context of toilets might seem unconventional, but it is a deeply personal experience. True harmony in a community begins with every person’s right to a safe and healthy life, which includes access to adequate and safe sanitation. Communities without secure toilets face persistent health risks, anxiety, and danger, undermining stability. By prioritising toilets as a foundation for peace, we can create environments where people can thrive without the constant threat of illness, injury, or indignity. 

The call for resilient sanitation systems 

Ensuring that toilets are safe, secure, and resilient must become a global priority. Investing in durable sanitation infrastructure can prevent tragedies and foster a sense of safety and dignity for users, particularly children. By securing access to safe sanitation, communities gain more than just physical protection; they gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing their children (and the public overall) are safe. 

Each dollar invested in making infrastructure disaster-resilient saves four dollars in reconstruction costs. This investment is not just an economic win—it’s a lifeline for millions who live in fragile, conflict-affected, or disaster-prone regions. 

From precarity to dignity  

The stories of lives lost to collapsing toilets remind us that peace begins with safety. Despite the sobering statistics, there is hope. Progress has been made in recent years, as organisations and governments work to improve global access to safe, sustainable sanitation. The Citywide Inclusive Sanitation approach for example has the potential to significantly enhance sector efforts, particularly governments, towards achieving SDG 6.2 target of safe, adequate, equitable, and sustainable sanitation for everyone.  

This World Toilet Day, as we commit to promoting ‘Toilets for Peace’, let us also commit to ensuring that no child is put at risk by something as fundamental as a toilet. Safe sanitation is not just a goal; it’s a human right. By working together to strengthen sanitation systems, we can make sure that toilets truly become places of peace, providing safety, dignity, and hope for all. The sanitation crisis is not just an infrastructure issue, it is a governance issue. 

For more on the significance of World Toilet Day and how you can get involved, visit UN World Toilet Day. Watch and learn from powerful stories here.