World Toilet Day

A Matter of Dignity… and Public Health

November 19 marks the 25th edition of World Toilet Day, under the theme:
“Sanitation: A Shared Responsibility for Dignity and the Planet.”

Created by the World Toilet Organization (WTO) in 2001 and officially recognized by the United Nations since 2013, this day aims to raise awareness about the importance of universal access to safe and dignified sanitation facilities.

💧 A Global Call to Action

Even today, 3.6 billion people worldwide do not have access to safe toilets. This lack of access has serious consequences for public health, the environment, and the economy.

World Toilet Day reminds us of the urgency to act in order to reduce sanitation inequalities and move closer to Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensuring access to water and sanitation for all.

What about here in Québec?

While most Quebecers enjoy good access to drinking water and in-home sanitation, public restroom access remains a major challenge across much of the province.

Source: Eau Secours

Organizations like Eau Secours, REsPire, and the CDC Plateau-Mont-Royal continue to point out that many vulnerable individuals — including seniors, pregnant women, people experiencing homelessness, or those with specific needs — do not have access to adequate public toilets.

These groups are advocating for collective awareness and the installation of accessible, inclusive, and free public sanitary infrastructure, particularly addressing their appeals to municipal governments, which are responsible for this issue in Québec.

🎯 Explore More

Discover insights from a researcher and some impactful illustrations from last year’s awareness campaign (in French only).

On this World Toilet Day, let’s remember:

Access to toilets is not a luxury — it’s a matter of dignity.