It’s a basic human right — yet, 1 in 5 people in Delta State don’t have toilets. Without adequate access to clean water, appropriate sanitation, and safe toilets, too many people are forced to defecate in the open. This leaves individuals — especially children, girls, and women — vulnerable to sexual harassment, assault, and deadly water-borne diseases.

This is not okay — and Global Citizen has long campaigned with partners to achieve an open defecation free Nigeria.

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Real progress has been made. Last year, the Federal Government declared a state of emergency on the nation’s water, sanitation, and hygiene. Even better? Thanks in part to over 145,000 actions by Global Citizens, the governors from Cross River, Edo, and Ondo states all committed to increasing investment in clean water and sanitation.

Now, in the lead up the Global Citizen Festival in New York this September, we are calling on the governor of Delta State to similarly increase investment to help end open defecation for the citizens of his state. The festival will see leaders from across the world stand on stage and make real, impactful commitments toward achieving a world free from extreme poverty by 2030. The festival is a major opportunity for the governor of Delta State to showcase his commitment, alongside fellow leaders, to water and sanitation.

Source: Global Citizen

Photo Credit: Daniel Williams