Gravely concerned at reports of girls being attacked, raped and murdered as they are forced to use fields in order to perform their toilet needs,
Aware that girls lose a quarter of their education from being unable to attend school during their monthly period due to the lack of private toilet facilities,
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN CALLS for immediate and urgent action to provide access to safe and private toilet facilities for all women and girls and urges all governments and other relevant agencies to make such provision a top priority in the allocation of resources for international aid.
Reasons for the Resolution:
No society can call itself civilised unless its citizens have ready access to personal sanitation.
Women and girls have particular needs in this regard as unlike men, they cannot stand up to relieve themselves and their monthly menstrual cycle necessitates privacy at this time.
To prevent attacks on women and girls whilst using the toilet, lockable facilities should be provided as standard.
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Source: International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) — 34th General Assembly, Izmir, Republic of Turkey, May/June 2015. Resolution No. 6.
