THE POO GURU

Sanitation protects girls’ health, safety, and psychological wellbeing. When girls can access sanitation, communities reduce social stigmas and increase educational and economic opportunity.

Hygiene and sanitation are public health building blocks. Before medicines and vaccines, clean water and sanitation were on the front lines to prevent child illness and death.

Vaccines protect against waterborne diseases like typhoid and cholera, which can thrive when sanitation is lacking. Together, sanitation and vaccines offer powerful prevention. At immunization appointments, health workers can also educate parents on hygiene and sanitation.

Climate impacts like flooding and water insecurity heighten the urgency for safe sanitation. As the world contends with climate change and urbanization, sanitation must be universal, flexible, affordable, and sustainable.