SDGs and the Toilet Problem | What is the State of Global Sanitation?

“What if you couldn't use a toilet tomorrow...?”

Have you ever imagined that?

In fact, even at this very moment, more than 4 billion people around the world are living without access to safe toilets.

This is not a story from the past, but a reality of “now,” with 2025 just around the corner.

There are many regions in the world where the clean and comfortable space we take for granted
has become a “life-or-death issue” because it is unattainable.

In this article, we will focus on the “toilet problem,” which is often overlooked even within the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals),

and delve into the global sanitation situation, the role of toilets as infrastructure that protects lives, and the steps we can take.

For those wondering, “Can note actually lead to revenue...?” 👇
I have summarized some easy-to-follow tips to get you started without stress.

What does it mean to not have a safe toilet?

What exactly is life like without a toilet?

• No toilet at home

• Shared toilets are unsanitary and dangerous

• Sewage backs up when it rains

• Open defecation is a daily occurrence

Especially in rural areas and slums, there are cases where people face life-threatening risks every time they need to use the toilet.

With issues like the risk of sexual assault when women go outside at night, this is a serious challenge that goes beyond mere “inconvenience” and is directly linked to human dignity and life.

The reality of the toilet gap in numbers

As of 2023, according to reports from UNICEF and the WHO—

• Approximately 3.6 billion people cannot use a safe toilet

• One in four people live in unhygienic sanitation conditions

• Approximately 700 children die every day from diarrheal diseases

This "toilet gap" also affects education and the economy.

• Children cannot attend schools that lack toilets

• Female students stay home from school during their periods

• Regions with delayed toilet infrastructure struggle with tourism and development

In other words, improving sanitation is closely linked to other SDG goals such as education, gender equality, and economic growth.

The Future Changed by Toilets | Learning from Real Support Cases

For example, the famous "Toilet Revolution" in India.

Because "not having a toilet at home" once became a reason for women to refuse marriage proposals, the government strengthened policies to promote toilets in rural areas. Individual toilets were installed in tens of millions of households.

By simultaneously promoting hygiene education and community awareness,

• improvements in children's health

• higher school enrollment rates for female students

• reduced risk of crime and violence

were among the changes that occurred.

Realizing that Japan is already in a "privileged environment"

Warm-water bidet toilets.

Clean toilet paper.

Convenience store toilets available 24 hours a day and barrier-free toilets at stations.

We live within “world-class” sanitation infrastructure without even realizing it.

However, this normalcy is not the norm in the rest of the world.
Furthermore, maintaining this standard requires proper management, public investment, and a sense of etiquette.

By learning about global sanitation issues, we can also learn to appreciate the environment we have now.

What is the “small step” we can take?

Even if you cannot be directly involved in sanitation issues, there are things we can do.

🌱 Actions you can take starting today

• Support organizations through donations or crowdfunding

• Post and share on “World Toilet Day” (November 19th)

• Share knowledge about sanitation on note or social media

• Be conscious of “cleanliness” in your own daily life

Also, reading documentaries or books on the theme of the toilet problem is a commendable action.
Because knowing is the first step toward change.

⬇️ Check this out too

The perspective of thinking about the future from the toilet

Having a clean toilet is a “human right” that protects the dignity of life.

We must never forget that.

And this is by no means a “story from a distant country,”
but something that is not someone else's problem even in Japan, where climate change, disasters, and population decline are progressing.

First, start by taking an interest.
Please turn your perspective toward the world's toilet problems.

If you liked this article even a little, I would be very happy if you could “like,” “comment,” or “follow” me!
※I basically follow back 100%.
（This article was created based on “AI.” Please note that it may contain errors or inaccurate information.）

My self-introduction article is here

Click here for Nakashi's SDGs Magazine

#ChatGPTSideHustle #ChatGPT #AISideHustle #noteMonetization
#GenerativeAI #GPT4o #Nakashi
#TriedItWithAI
#MutualFollow #noteBeginner
#SDGs #Sanitation #ToiletIssue #InternationalCooperation #noteEducationDepartment