{"id":22919,"date":"2016-11-18T20:22:03","date_gmt":"2016-11-18T20:22:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sustainabledevelopment\/?p=22919"},"modified":"2018-04-22T11:55:45","modified_gmt":"2018-04-22T15:55:45","slug":"on-world-toilet-day-un-spotlights-the-impact-of-sanitation-on-peoples-livelihoods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sustainabledevelopment\/blog\/2016\/11\/on-world-toilet-day-un-spotlights-the-impact-of-sanitation-on-peoples-livelihoods\/","title":{"rendered":"On World Toilet Day, UN spotlights the impact of sanitation on peoples\u2019 livelihoods"},"content":{"rendered":"

To mark the 2016 edition of World Toilet Day, along with urging action to tackle the oft-neglected global sanitation crisis, the United Nations is also spotlighting the impact of sanitation \u2013 or lack of it \u2013 on livelihoods and work environments.<\/p>\n

While the Day<\/a> is an opportunity to raise awareness about the 2.4 billion people around the world who live without a toilet and the rates of diseases due to inadequate access to sanitation and unsafe water, this year, the theme toliets and jobs<\/a> focuses on how lack of sanitation impacts peoples\u2019 livelihoods: the UN estimates that in many countries, it creates a five per cent loss in gross domestic product (GDP).<\/p>\n

\u201cToilets play a crucial role in creating a strong economy. A lack of toilets at work and at home has severe consequences, including poor health leading to absenteeism, reduced concentration, exhaustion, and decreased productivity,\u201d said Secretary-General<\/a> Ban Ki-moon in a message<\/a> on the Day.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, 17 per cent of workplace deaths are caused by disease transmission \u2013 an incentive to invest in access to proper sanitation in order to avoid the approximately $260 billion that is lost every year due to poor sanitation and unsafe water.<\/p>\n

According to the Secretary-General, \u201cevery dollar invested in water and sanitation leads to $4 in economic returns.\u201d<\/p>\n

Investing in appropriate toilets is especially important for women and girls,\u201d he says, \u201cso that they have private, clean and safe facilities, and are able to manage menstruation or pregnancy safely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Safe access to clean toilets is critical to implementing Goal 6<\/a> of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs<\/a>), which calls for clean water and sanitation for all.<\/p>\n

\u201cDelivering on this basic human right,\u201d said Mr. Ban, \u201cis good for people, business, and the economy. Let us continue working towards a world where everyone, everywhere, has adequate and equitable sanitation.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Via UN News Centre<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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