Toilet Photo Exhibited On World Toilet Day

By Suman Udas

Toilet Photo Exhibition was organized at Nepal Tourism Board on the occasion of World Toilet Day 2010 with the objective of promoting healthy toilet usage and to provide the perception regarding the usage of toilet in different part of country. The exhibition was organized by Water, Sanitation and Hygiene-Resource Center Network Nepal (WASH-RCNN), Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) and Clean Energy Nepal (CEN).

The exhibition included the photographs from “Toilet Photo Competition” organized from September 20 to November 15, 2010 by WASH-RCNN, ENPHO and CEN. The competition was opened for amateur youth photographers for three categories- household toilet; community toilet and institutional toilet. The winners of “Toilet Photo Competition” were also awarded in the exhibition. Ms. Charina Cabrido was awarded the first prize while Mr. Dipendra Adhikari was awarded consolation prize under “Institutional Toilet” category. Mr. Raju Shrestha was awarded the first prize while Mr. Ashkumar Khaitu was awarded consolation prize under “Household Toilet” category. Mr. Binod Rijal was awarded the first prize while Ms. Eva Manandhar was awarded consolation prize under “Community Toilet” category. The exhibition was graced by Mr. Ganesh Shah, the Former Environment minister of Nepal, as the Chief Guest.

About 54% of the population practice open-air defecation due to lack of sanitation facilities (toilet) in Nepal. Annually some 13,000 children under five die of diarrheal disease due to poor hygiene and sanitation. Only about 41% of public and community schools have toilet facilities. Nepal has to ensure 53% toilet coverage by 2015 to achieve sanitation MDG. Nepal’s National Goal is to provide basic sanitation facilities to all by 2017.
November 24, 2010