Explore how HSE professionals can accelerate change on World Toilet Day 2023, contributing to Safe Toilets and Water for All by 2030. Explore actionable steps, from raising awareness to implementing sanitation best practices in your workplace.
Be inspired by the hummingbird symbol and find out how, as an HSE professional, you can make a significant impact on global sanitation challenges.
World Toilet Day 2023 : How HSE Professionals Can Accelerate Change on Pressing Issue of Access to Toilets and Washrooms
World Toilet Day is held every year on 19th November. It has been an annual United Nations Observance since 2013 that aims to raise awareness and inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. This year, the theme is ‘Accelerating Change’, which calls for urgent and collective efforts to achieve safe toilets and water for all by 2030.
As an HSE professional, you play a vital role in creating a safer and healthier working environment for everyone. You not only help prevent harm and loss, but also contribute to the productivity, quality and reputation of your organization. By doing so, you make a positive difference in the lives of people, the environment and the society.
But did you know that sanitation and drinking water are also human rights, and access to these services is critical to people’s health and the integrity of the environment? According to the latest data from WHO and UNICEF, there are still 3.5 billion people living without safe toilets and 2.2 billion people living without safe drinking water.
This means that almost half of the world’s population is exposed to diseases, pollution, poverty and insecurity due to inadequate sanitation and water services.
This is why World Toilet Day 2023 is urging everyone to ‘be like a hummingbird’ and take simple actions to help accelerate change towards the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) i.e Safe Toilets and Water for all by 2030.
The hummingbird is the symbol of World Toilet Day and World Water Day 2023, inspired by the ancient tale of a hummingbird who does what she can to fight a great fire (by carrying droplets of water in her beak). The story conveys the idea that each of us can do something (regardless of how small or big that is) to help solve a big problem.
So, what can you do as an HSE professional to accelerate change on World Toilet Day 2023? Here are some suggestions:
- Visit the World Toilet Day website to learn more about the global sanitation crisis and the actions you can take to help. You can also use the activation kit to spread the word, make an origami hummingbird nest as part of a global art movement.
- You may take simple sanitation actions at your home, office or other facilities as applicable, such as flushing your toilet less, fixing leaky pipes, contacting/educating neighbours/colleagues and busting taboos.
- Conduct a sanitation and water audit in your workplace to identify any gaps or issues that need improvement. You can use the Pledge Self-Assessment Tool developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) to measure your performance and progress on providing access to safe Water, Sanitation And Hygiene (WASH) for your employees.
- Implement best practices and standards for sanitation and water management in your workplace, such as the ISO 30500 for non-sewered sanitation systems and the ISO 24510 for drinking water and wastewater services. You can also refer the International Labour Organization (ILO) guidelines on occupational safety and health in water and sanitation services.
- Provide training and education to your employees and other stakeholders on the importance and benefits of sanitation and water for health, safety and the environment. You can use the resources and materials from the Global Handwashing Partnership, the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), and the International Water Association (IWA) to support your efforts.
- Join the Water Action Agenda, a global initiative launched by UN-Water at the UN 2023 Water Conference in March, which is a collection of existing and new institutional commitments to make rapid change on sanitation and water. You can also participate in the World Toilet Day campaign and share your actions and stories on social media using the hashtags #WorldToiletDay and #AcceleratingChange.
By taking these actions, you can show your leadership and commitment as an HSE professional to accelerate change on World Toilet Day 2023. You can also inspire others to follow your example and join the global movement to end the sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). Together, we can make a difference and ensure that everyone has access to safe toilets and water by 2030.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and found it useful. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for your attention and happy World Toilet Day 2023!
For future updates, suggestion and discussion, please connect with us on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.
