International Women’s Day 2025: Basic Hygiene Tips For Females While Using Public Toilets

05 Mar, 2025 Author: Ayushee Joshi

International Women’s Day 2025: Every year, International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 to honour the achievements and success of women around the world. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” The day is celebrated with various activities, cultural events, and social campaigns aimed at empowering women and tackling concerns like gender discrimination, workplace inequalities, and violence against women.

International Women’s Day History

The history of International Women’s Day dates back to the early twentieth century, when women over the world began to demand improved working conditions, voting rights, and equal pay. The Socialist Party of America declared the first National Women’s Day in 1909, observed in the United States. Clara Zetkin, a German socialist and women’s rights campaigner, was inspired by this movement and presented the concept of an international women’s day at the 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen.

The suggestion was accepted, and the first formal International Women’s Day was held on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. The date was eventually changed to March 8, and the United Nations officially acknowledged the day in 1975, establishing it as a global forum for advocating women’s rights.

Public Hygiene For Women

Over the years, one thing that has been the main priority for women is their hygiene health. When not taken proper care, women are more prone to diseases due to lack of hygiene and sanitation. It is very important to recognize the importance of hygiene, and taking some simple measures will help in ensuring safety and well-being.

Importance of Public Hygiene

Poor sanitation can lead to a variety of diseases for women, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), bacterial infections, and skin problems.

Bacteria and viruses are frequently found in public restrooms due to frequent use and poor cleaning. Women are more susceptible to diseases such as UTIs and yeast infections, thus hygiene precautions are critical.
Shared facilities can be breeding grounds for fungi and bacteria, resulting in rashes, irritation, and skin disorders such as fungal infections.
For women on their periods, public restrooms present an additional obstacle. Maintaining cleanliness and correctly disposing of sanitary products is essential for preventing illnesses and ensuring the hygiene of the environment for other users.
Good public hygiene habits minimize the spread of germs, contributing to overall well-being and minimizing the risk of significant health conditions.

Basic Women Hygiene Tips for Public Toilets

Maintaining personal hygiene in public spaces, particularly when using public washrooms, is essential for women’s health. By taking these precautions, women can protect their safety while also promoting hygiene in shared settings.

Check for Cleanliness

Before using a public toilet, make sure the seat, floor, and surroundings are clean. If the toilet is excessively dirty or unsanitary, look for another one.

Use Toilet Seat Covers or Tissues

If available, use a toilet seat cover or place toilet paper on the seat before sitting. This creates a barrier between your skin and the surface.

Avoid Direct Contact

To avoid germs, squat rather than sit directly on the toilet seat. If squatting is not an option, use a tissue or seat sanitizer before seating.

Always Carry a Sanitizer or Disinfectant Wipes

Public restrooms may not always include soap or handwashing facilities. Carrying a tiny sanitizer or disinfection wipes is useful for cleansing your hands and the toilet seat before usage.

Flush Properly with Minimal Contact

Instead of hitting the flush button directly with your hand, press it with your foot or a tissue. To prevent germ spread, ensure that the lid is down (if available) before flushing.

Wipe Front to Back

After using the toilet, always wipe from front to back to avoid bacteria from spreading to the urinary tract.

Dispose of Sanitary Products Properly

If you use a sanitary pad or tampon, discard it in the designated containers rather than flushing it down the toilet, as this can clog the drainage system.

Wash Hands Thoroughly

After using the washroom, cleanse your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap is unavailable, use a sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.