I have always had a bathroom in my house. I had running water, porcelain toilets, and that crappy one-ply toilet paper. Hell, even at music festivals I had access to many multiple porta-potties. They smelled, but at least I had a place to take a dump!
But think for a minute, what if you didn’t have that bathroom? What if you had to take a shit in the open? What if you never had privacy? What if you never felt safe?
Those questions are a troubling reality for 2.3 billion people worldwide – that’s almost a third of the world’s population that does not have access to a toilet! And this is not only hazardous to people’s health but also to their safety. All too often, women and girls live in fear of attack or harassment and must travel great distances just to find a place that provides even a minimum level of protection and dignity. Life is not only more difficult without this basic amenities: it’s more dangerous, too.
I joined WaterAid because I wanted to help ensure that everyone, everywhere has clean water. But I quickly learned that a bigger, unaddressed problem was the lack of toilets worldwide. How can someone have clean drinking water if they take a shit next to the water source and then contaminate it? How can people lead healthy lives if they’re literally surrounded by shit?
I have hope that times are changing. On September 25th world leaders are set to agree to a new global initiative called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It’s an ambitious framework that outlines a plan to reduce poverty, advance education, create gender equality, provide water and sanitation, and build a more just and environmentally stable world for the next 15 years. These Global Goals sound lofty, but they are doable. With your help we can ensure that these goals are put into action!
WaterAid will be at this year’s Global Citizen Festival in Central Park to help raise awareness for the water and sanitation Global Goal. To demonstrate what it feels like when people have no choice but to take a shit out in the open, we have created a “Loo with a view” (sorry, nothing rhymes with ‘toilet’). So come visit us at the festival and see first-hand what it’s like to have all eyes on you during one of your most private moments.
Remember: world leaders are beginning to put these Global Goals into action and we need to make sure that people everywhere are getting what they need to lead healthy and productive lives. As global citizens, we have a responsibility to #GiveAShit and stand up for water, sanitation and hygiene for everyone, everywhere!
P.S. For those keeping track, I used the word “shit” 8 times. You’re welcome. Now get out there and #GiveAShit!!
Article written by Robin Fischer in support of WaterAid.