About World Toilet Day 

• It is celebrated each year on November 19 to raise awareness about global sanitation issues.
• It became an UN-recognized day in 2013 to emphasize the importance of safe sanitation under SDG 6.
• It was first proposed by Jack Sim of the World Toilet Organization in 2001.
• Purpose: To address the health, dignity, and environmental challenges linked to inadequate sanitation.

Impact of Sanitation Initiatives in India

• Economic Benefits: WHO reported ₹50,000 saved per family annually in ODF villages due to reduced health costs.
• Health Improvements: SBM helped avert 300,000 diarrheal deaths by 2019.
• Women’s Safety: 93% of women in ODF areas report feeling safer with access to toilets.
• Open Defecation Reduction: Significant decrease due to household toilets and awareness campaigns.

PYQ:

[2017] To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes’ Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme.

[2019] As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct? 

(a) Waste generator has to segregate waste into five categories.

(b) The Rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies, notified towns and all industrial townships only

(c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.

(d) It is mandatory on the part of the waste generator that the waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another district.