World Toilet Day: History, Significance And Facts

World Toilet Day is observed annually on Nov. 19 with an aim to spread awareness about safe sanitary practices.

Germs prefer damp and dark places to survive, hence, bathrooms are an ideal place for them to thrive in. Therefore, it is also important to inform people about hygienic bathroom etiquettes in order to help curb the spread of diseases.

The theme for this year’s celebration is "Valuing toilets," which is a campaign to tell people that toilets can be improved in some parts of the world. The United Nation's official website states that toilets "are underfunded, poorly managed or neglected in many parts of the world, with devastating consequences for health, economics, and the environment, particularly in the poorest and most marginalized communities."

The campaign also aims to talk about the advantages of investing in an adequate sanitation system.

"Every $1 invested in basic sanitation returns up to $5 in saved medical costs and increased productivity, and jobs are created along the entire service chain. For women and girls, toilets at home, school, and at work help them fulfill their potential and play their full role in society, especially during menstruation and pregnancy," the website added.

On this occasion, here are a few facts about toilets around the world and why is it important for us to know them.

1. Around 3.6 billion people around the world do not have access to proper toilets and an estimated 1.1 billion people practice open defecation.
2. As part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the U.N. hopes to ensure the availability of water and sanitation for all.
3. Toilets have increased human lifespan by 20 years over the past 200 years.
4. 290 billion kilos of feces are produced annually around the world.
5. Two out of three primary schools in developing countries do not have separate bathrooms for boys and girls and one in three children develops intestinal worms.
6. The number of diarrhea cases can be reduced by 37.5% if sanitation is improved.
7. An average person uses the toilet between 4-10 times a day.