On Thursday, November 21, 2024, Mr. Kabelo Tseetsana, the Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) Technical Programme Manager at World Vision Lesotho, emphasized the importance of toilets as a crucial element in ensuring peace, dignity, and protection from diseases such as cholera. His remarks were made during an event to observe World Toilet Day, which was held at Libibing Primary School in the Menoaneng Community Council in Mokhotlong.
In his speech, Mr. Tseetsana highlighted the critical role toilets play in improving public health. “Toilets are not just a basic necessity; they are a place of peace, dignity, and protection from diseases,” he stated. His words underscored the importance of sanitation in safeguarding individuals, particularly vulnerable populations, from life-threatening diseases like cholera, which is often linked to inadequate sanitation and contaminated water sources.
Reflecting on the progress made in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activities, Mr. Tseetsana noted that over the years, World Vision and its partners have focused on a range of initiatives to improve access to clean water and hygiene practices. However, he acknowledged that the issue of toilets had often been overlooked in public awareness campaigns. “While much of our attention has been directed at water and hygiene, the importance of toilets cannot be underestimated,” he remarked.
According to Mr. Tseetsana, access to safe and clean toilets is essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which calls for universal access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation by 2030. “For SDG 6 to be realized, everyone needs to have access to safe toilets,” he stated, stressing that sanitation is fundamental to the well-being and dignity of individuals and communities.
World Toilet Day serves as a reminder of the global sanitation crisis, with millions of people still lacking access to adequate toilet facilities. The event at Libibing Primary School was a part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about sanitation and encourage local communities to take responsibility for improving sanitation infrastructure.
Mr. Tseetsana’s address at the World Toilet Day event emphasized that toilets are more than just a basic need—they are a fundamental human right that ensures dignity, health, and safety for all. Access to clean and safe toilets is critical in the fight against preventable diseases and is a necessary step toward achieving sustainable development and improving the quality of life for people in Lesotho and around the world.
