Today (November 19) is World Toilet Day, so we’re going to shine a spotlight on the humble toilet for one simple reason: toilets save lives.

Living in a developed country like Australia, we tend not to think about toilets until we need one or don’t have one, and we don’t really view them as live saving. But around the world, 3.5 billion people still live without safe sanitation. This lack of access leads to the spread of disease, pollutes water sources and puts lives, particularly the lives of vulnerable groups like children, at risk.

Access to clean water and sanitation is one of the basic building blocks of health and opportunity. When communities don’t have access to safe toilets, it can lead to children getting sick, which in turn can lead to missed classes at school, reducing educational outcomes and fewer long-term opportunities. Women and girls also lose privacy and safety.

Sanitation is a priority in our work around the world. Installing handwashing stations and accessible latrines, plus the promotion of hygiene education can have profound impacts in communities. We see this all around the world, from remote villages in Indonesia, to refugee camps in Bangladesh, to schools in Cambodia and the Pacific.

So today while you’re sitting comfortably reading this, perhaps even on the toilet (no judgment), take a moment to appreciate what safe sanitation means. Because for millions of families around the world, it’s not just a convenience, it can be a lifeline.

You can help make safe sanitation a reality for all.