It’s unclear who first invented the toilet. Early contenders include an ancient settlement in Scotland dating back to 3000 B.C. and a palace on Crete that was built around 1700 B.C.
Fast forward to today: around 60% of the world – 4.5 billion people – don’t have a toilet that safely manages human waste at home. Here’s why it matters:
- Toilets save lives! Without toilets, deadly diseases spread rapidly. Over 750 children under five die every day from diarrhoea caused by unsafe water, sanitation, and poor hygiene.
- Would you show up if there were no toilets at your school? Globally, 1 in 3 schools do not have adequate toilets, and 23% of schools have no toilets at all.
- Schools without toilets can cause girls to miss out on their education. Without proper sanitation facilities, many are forced to miss school when they’re on their period.
- Toilets are a great investment. Every dollar spent on sanitation has a return of US$5.50, according to WHO research.
- But still, 892 million people worldwide practise open defecation, meaning they go outside – on the side of the road, in bushes or rubbish heaps.
- It’s often a matter of where they live: 90% of people who practice open defecation live in rural areas.
- It’s time to make a stink! In order to get everyone in the world using toilets, we need to triple our current efforts. That doesn’t just mean more toilets, but creating the desire for people to use them.
Could you clarify what you mean by “people were attacked while using their toilets”? Are you referring to:
-
Animal attacks (e.g., snakes, rats, spiders, etc., found in toilets)?
-
Human-related assaults (e.g., crimes occurring in public or outdoor toilets)?
-
Structural issues (e.g., toilets collapsing or malfunctioning)?
-
Supernatural or urban legends?
Each of these has been reported in different regions for different reasons, so I can give you a more accurate explanation if you specify the context you’re referring to.
You said:
ChatGPT said:
Sure! When someone says “people were attacked while using their toilets,” it could mean a few different things depending on the context. Here’s a breakdown of the possible interpretations:
1. Animal Attacks
In some regions, especially in tropical or rural areas, people have reported being attacked by animals hiding in or around toilets, such as:
-
Snakes coiled inside toilet bowls or under seats
-
Spiders or insects hiding under the lid
-
Rats coming up through plumbing
-
Frogs or lizards surprising users
These cases often happen in places with open plumbing systems or outdoor latrines.
2. Criminal Attacks
This can refer to people being:
-
Assaulted or harassed in public toilets (especially if isolated or poorly lit)
-
Victims of theft or rape, particularly in places with inadequate security or privacy
-
Targeted during conflicts or unrest, when toilets may not be safe due to lack of infrastructure
This is a serious issue in some refugee camps or underdeveloped areas where proper sanitation infrastructure is missing.
3. Structural Failures or Accidents
Sometimes “attacked” might refer metaphorically to:
-
Toilet collapses (e.g., pit latrines giving way)
-
Exploding toilets due to gas build-up (rare but reported)
-
Malfunctioning bidets or plumbing causing injury
These are usually accidents, but they still count as unexpected danger during toilet use.
4. Urban Legends or Supernatural Stories
Some cultures have ghost stories or myths about:
-
Haunted bathrooms
-
Cursed toilets
-
Monsters or spirits appearing while someone is alone and vulnerable
These are usually fictional but are part of cultural folklore (e.g., Japan’s Hanako-san ghost in school toilets).
Would you like real-life examples of any of these categories?
