Environment Women Association (EWA)

Access to toilets is a fundamental human right.

Women, children, elders: the right to sanitation for all.

A clean environment starts with sanitation infrastructure for all.

Discover EWA in Video

A Word from the President

In our association, toilets remain a taboo subject. Yet they directly affect our health and that of our children, our water resources, and our overall well-being.

In Morocco, cities suffer from a severe lack of infrastructure, and existing facilities are often in poor condition. In places where toilets are essential (mosques, hospitals, schools, cafes, restaurants, train stations, and public transport—the list goes on), maintenance and hygiene are generally inadequate.

This lack of sanitation can lead to illnesses (sometimes serious) and negatively impacts our daily lives and those of our loved ones.

The condition and cleanliness of toilets are also concrete indicators of hygiene standards and reveal a country's level of competitiveness. Unfortunately, poor sanitary facilities rank among the top negative points reported by tourists visiting Morocco.

Through EWA, my goal is therefore to raise awareness among both public authorities and citizens about the importance of promoting hygiene, cleanliness, civility, and civic responsibility as key factors in preserving human health and the environment.

A meeting was held with the online news outlet ANFASPRESS on the occasion of World Toilet Day. The President of the EWA Association shared the organization’s commitments and on-the-ground actions. The interview highlighted the challenges related to the right to access public toilets. A call to action was issued to ensure that no one is left behind.

Key Facts and Practical Information

Sanitation Facilities

43% of the world’s population (approximately 3.5 billion people) did not have access to safely managed sanitation in 2022.
1.5 billion people still lacked basic sanitation services (private, non-shared toilets or latrines).
Nine out of ten people practicing open defecation lived in rural areas, and more than half of these populations were located in sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia.

Open Defecation

419 million people worldwide still practice open defecation, often due to the complete lack of safe sanitation infrastructure.
In 2022, only 57% of the global population used safely managed sanitation services, leaving more than 1.5 billion people without access to basic facilities.

Deaths Caused by Diarrhea

In 2017, 1.6 million deaths across all age groups were caused by diarrheal diseases, making them one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide.
In 2021, 444,000 children under the age of five died from diarrhea — approximately 1,200 children every day.
Diarrhea accounted for 9% of all deaths among children under five in 2021.

What is the goal of World Toilet Day?

World Toilet Day, observed every year on November 19, aims to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis. This day serves as a reminder that billions of people worldwide still live without access to safe and hygienic toilets, leading to serious consequences for health, dignity, and the environment. By emphasizing the right to sanitation for all, World Toilet Day supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6, which seeks universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.