World Toilet Day-Inclusion of Children in Toilet Matters!

Problem Statement

Poor sanitation is one of the leading causes of deaths globally. Children under the age of 5 years are particularly vulnerable to poor sanitation attributed by the number of diarrhea, malnutrition, stunted growth and even deaths. In Kenya, Diarrhea is the third largest cause of mortality and morbidity after neonatal causes and pneumonia. According to UNICEF (2017), diarrhea causes 7% of deaths of children under the age of 5 in Kenya.[1] Diarrhea disease is transmitted orally through contact with faecal matters i.e. contaminate hands, water, fields, flies and food with faeces. 

Despite being the biggest victim of poor sanitation, children under the age of 5 years are often excluded in sanitation programs specifically toileting needs. This is depicted by lack of provision of baby changing facilities in public spaces, lack of child friendly toilets and/or latrines in households, open defecation practices by children, lack of nappies/diapers and potties among poor households,  unsafe child faecal disposal by caregivers, poor hand washing techniques and under developed sanitation facilities. This results in to children contributing to open defecation burden in Kenya that has health, economic, environmental and social implication in our society. As articulated by UNICEF (2008), 1 gram of human poo can contain 10,000,000 viruses, 1,000,000 bacteria, and 1,000 parasite eggs.The UN General Assembly Resolution 70/169 (2015), recognizes that the human right to sanitation entitles everyone, without discrimination, to have physical and affordable access to sanitation, in all spheres of life, that is safe, hygienic, secure, socially and culturally acceptable and that provides privacy and ensures dignity. As such, this program aims to dignify children under the age of 5 by ensuring that they are supported and provided with adequate facilities to meet not only their sanitation needs but also those of caregivers. Register here to attend

About Wow Mom

Wow Mom is social enterprise that advocates for children friendly cities by bringing to attention policies that plaque mothers and children in cities as well as offer personalized, evidence-based information, advice and tips on parenting.

About World Toilet Day

World Toilet Day is celebrated on the 19th November every year. It’s all about inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and help achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 which promises sanitation for all by 2030. This year, Wow Mom intends to celebrate this day by creating awareness around the toileting needs for children under the age of 5 to inspire action among stakeholders. Please Register here

1. Create awareness on the exclusion of children on toilet matters

2. Highlight the impact on health, economic and environment due to lack sanitation facilities for children.

3. Deliberate on possible sanitation solutions for children under the age of 5 i.e quick wins projects and policy.

To partner/support or find more details about this project, send an email to peninah.ndegwa@wowmom.co.ke

[1] https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/diarrhoeal-disease/