World Toilet Day: NGO charges government to prioritise sanitation, hygiene in public places

A non-governmental organisation, Mafita Women and Youth Development Initiative (MAWOYDI), has called on government and development partners to urgently improve sanitation facilities in schools, markets, and public spaces.

Speaking on World Toilet Day, founder of MAWOYDI, Mrs. Therese Orude, warned that women and youth are the hardest hit by poor sanitation. 

Recent UNICEF data reveals that 95 million Nigerians lack access to basic sanitation, with 48 million practicing open defecation, including 18 million children. 

In schools, 70 percent lack proper toilets, while 88 percent of health facilities are without basic sanitation. 

Mrs. Orude explained that girls and young women face particular risks. 

“Inadequate toilets in schools lead to absenteeism, especially during menstruation, while women in markets and public spaces are exposed to harassment and sexual assault when forced to relieve themselves in unsafe locations,” she said. 

“Young people in rural and urban areas also bear a heavy burden, suffering frequent waterborne diseases that disrupt schooling and productivity.

She stressed that lack of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities is a public health and social justice issue, calling on governments, private sector actors, and development partners to invest in safe, inclusive, and accessible sanitation infrastructure. 

“Providing toilets and hygiene facilities is not just about preventing disease; it’s about protecting dignity and empowering women and youth,” Mrs. Orude added.

MAWOYDI continues to advocate for sustainable sanitation solutions, community awareness, and partnerships that prioritise vulnerable groups, ensuring safe and hygienic public spaces for all Nigerians.