Dear Soroptimists,

This Sunday is World Toilet Day.

This year World Toilet Day focuses on wastewater, continuing the theme of World Water Day. Inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis, this annual event is an important day on the Soroptimist calendar. 4.5 billion people are living without a household toilet that safely disposes of waste. Women are disproportionally affected by this worldwide issue of inadequate sanitation facilities. 1 billion still defecate in the open. (UNDP, 2015) This often results in violence against women.

Women, Water & Leadership

The 2017-2019 President’s appeal will empower women through the implementation of water projects, including those that provide safe sanitation and hand washing education. “Access to adequate and inequitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation“ was adopted as a target of SDG 6. Read the statement of Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, Léo Heller.

Have you ever wondered where your poo goes?
Click on the image below to watch a short movie.

Maybe then you could support the President’s Appeal projects that will help provide toilets and safe sanitation to women and girls.

#worldtoiletday
#OutofOrder

Mariet Verhoef-Cohen
SI President

Lead image: toilet built by a Soroptimist sanitation project