Pujya Swamiji & Sadhvi Bhagawatiji Grace World Toilet Summit

On #WorldToiletDay, Pujya Swamiji who has been advocating for Toilets from as early as 2012 shared a beautiful message at the World Toilet Summit recently.

He shared, ”It’s wonderful to be together on World Toilet Day! Who would have ever thought we would gather for toilets? We gather for peace, we gather for parties, but for poop?

However, this is what is needed! We cannot have real, meaningful peace in the world as long as there are children suffering and dying due to lack of clean water, lack of sanitation, and hygiene.”

He lauded the efforts and the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modiji and the incredible success of the Swachh Bharat Mission. He added, “It was never just about toilets or ending open defecation but really about clean water. This is why even after an ODF India we are moving towards an ODF Plus India. I think it is time to take care of the 4P’s — Pani (Water), Poop, Plastic & Pollution.”Watch & share this important message shared by Pujya Swamiji.

On World Toilet Day, Sadhviji delivered an inspiring address amongst an august panel of experts at the World Toilet Organization’s #WorldToiletSummit. She shared important insights about Menstrual Hygiene Management – perhaps one of the most-important and least-discussed health issues facing so many women across India and around the world and an important element in so many of the United Nations’ #sustainabledevelopmentgoals

“The average woman,” Sadhviji emphasized “spends seven years – seven years! – of her life menstruating. Our sisters, our mothers, our wives spend seven years! But, do we give it more than a passing thought? So, menstrual health is a critical element for women, as well as for men, because if you love any menstruating woman in your life, this is where/how she’s spending seven years.”

Watch, listen and share this video in which Sadhviji explains the sheer magnitude of that fact, and why recognizing that has made Menstrual Hygiene Management such a personal mission for her and for the passionate work that she does as the Secretary-General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance.