World Toilet Day is celebrated on 19 November. Finland is funding sustainable sanitation efforts through the Programme for Finland's Water Sector Support to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (FinWaterWEI II). FinWaterWEI II -funded projects include activities such as hygiene education and awareness-raising, construction of EcoSan toilets and small scale water supply systems, as well as policy level support. Equal access to sanitation for girls and women is a key in all activities supported by Finland.
© UN Water World Toilet Day
The UN General Assembly has designated 19 November as World Toilet Day to remind us about the 2.4 billion people who lack access to improved sanitation.
This year’s theme focuses on how sanitation, or the lack of it, can impact on livelihoods. Toilets play a crucial role in creating a strong economy, as well as improving health and protecting people’s safety and dignity, particularly women’s and girls’.
A lack of toilets at work and at home has severe impacts upon businesses through problems in the workforce: poor health, absenteeism, attrition, reduced concentration, exhaustion, and decreased productivity. Loss of productivity due to illnesses caused by lack of sanitation and poor hygiene practices is estimated to cost many countries up to 5% of GDP.
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