About World Toilet Day
World Toilet Day, on 19 November, has been an official United Nations observance since 2013. It raises awareness of people living without safe toilets and encourages action towards safely managed sanitation for everyone.
World Toilet Day began as an initiative of the World Toilet Organization and was made an official UN day by the General Assembly in 2013. It draws attention to a basic need that many people still lack: a safe, private and hygienic toilet. Poor sanitation spreads disease, pollutes water and affects dignity and safety, especially for women and girls.
The day links closely to the global goal of clean water and sanitation for all, and it is a chance to talk openly about a topic people often avoid.
How it is marked
Schools hold hygiene sessions on handwashing and keeping toilets clean. Local bodies and volunteers run cleanliness drives. Workplaces and residential societies thank housekeeping and sanitation staff. In India, the day connects with the Swachh Bharat Mission, which has focused on building toilets and ending open defecation, so many communities use it to highlight cleanliness and upkeep.
What to write
A light, friendly tone works well, with sincere thanks for the people who keep spaces clean.
- Thank you, didi, for keeping our office washrooms spotless every day. We notice, and we're grateful.
- Proud of you for getting the girls' toilet at school fixed. It took months of letters, and you didn't give up.
- To the volunteers at Sunday's cleanliness drive, thank you. The market toilets have never looked this good.
How to wish someone on World Toilet Day
thanks to sanitation workers, and pride in clean, safe toilets for every home, school and street
Write a few lines in your own words, pick a design and share it as one link on WhatsApp, Instagram or anywhere else. They open an animated card made just for them, with no app and no sign-up.
Language tip: English, Hindi + recipient language.
Frequently asked questions
Why is World Toilet Day on 19 November?
19 November is the date the World Toilet Organization was founded in 2001, and it began marking the day then. The UN General Assembly kept the same date when it made World Toilet Day an official observance in 2013.
How can schools mark World Toilet Day?
Schools can run handwashing demonstrations, check that toilets are clean and working, and hold poster or essay competitions on sanitation. Thanking cleaning staff in the morning assembly is a simple gesture.
Why is World Toilet Day important?
Safe toilets help prevent diseases such as diarrhoea, protect water sources and give people privacy and dignity. The day breaks the silence around sanitation so that it gets the attention and investment it needs.
When is World Toilet Day in 2026?
World Toilet Day 2026 falls on Thursday, 19 November 2026.
What is World Toilet Day?
World Toilet Day, on 19 November, has been an official United Nations observance since 2013. It raises awareness of people living without safe toilets and encourages action towards safely managed sanitation for everyone.
Is World Toilet Day a public holiday?
Holiday status for World Toilet Day varies by state, employer and community in India, so check your local holiday list.
How do I wish someone on World Toilet Day?
Focus on thanks to sanitation workers, and pride in clean, safe toilets for every home, school and street. On Kehdoo you can write a short message, pick a design and share a free animated World Toilet Day card as a single link, with no app or sign-up needed.
Sources
Last verified by the Kehdoo team on .