Fifty-nine people out of every 100 Malawians do not have access to safe and private toilets, a report by WaterAid has shown.
However, this is an improvement by 11.6 percent since 1990, making it the 12th most improved of the 38 countries with measurable data in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Just two months ago, we saw all the member States of the United Nations [UN] promise to deliver access to safe, private toilets to everyone by 2013.
“Our analysis shows just how many nations in the world are failing to give sanitation the political prioritisation and financing required,” said WaterAid Malawi country representative Mercy Masoo in the statement.
She called for swift action, saying everyone has right to safe, private place to relieve themselves, and live healthy and productive lives without threats of illness.
WaterAid has called on governments to ensure that schools and healthcare facilities have safe toilets, running water and functioning sinks.
“There should also be soap for hand washing to reduce maternal deaths and strengthen children’s ability to attend school.
“This includes water, sanitation and hygiene to address under nutrition and acute malnutrition,” says WaterAid.
On November 19 2015, Malawi joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Toilet Day to raise awareness about people who do not have acc
ess to toilet although it is a human right. n
