Why does eco-sanitation even matter?

The easiest and most obvious answer is for cleanliness and better health. According to UNICEF, there are estimated to be 2.6 - 3 billion people living without proper sanitation! Let that sink in a minute. Can you even begin to picture how taxing to the environment that is? 

It is more than that, though. These people are victims of a greedy planet population who doesn't allow everyone even basic human needs, and they face the threat of numerous diseases due to lack of sanitation. This lack of sanitation is responsible for the spread of cholera, HIV/AIDS, malaria, trachoma (an eye disease from unclean water), and typhoid. Also a risk from unclean water are arsenicosis (from naturally occurring arsenic in natural water sources, fluoridosis which destroys bones (from natural fluoride), guinea worm disease, intestinal worms, and schistosomiasis (a parasitic worm disease). 

Sanitation is desired for convenience, privacy, efficiency, dignity and status. It is also becomes a safety issue for women who risk sexual attack while going about what should be a safe and private human activity. They and other people living without proper sanitation have to decide on a daily basis how to organize defecation without feeling ashamed, or feeling fear of the risk of health issues or attack. Some wait to relieve themselves at night or others hide in bushes to do it. Some defecate into plastic bags and then throw the bags as far as they can. In Kenya, there is even a name for this, called The Flying Toilet. 

The bottom line is that people who lack access to proper toilets risk death and disease, with millions dying annually. Every day, EVERY DAY, approximately 6000 children die from diarrhea related diseases from lack of sanitation. 

This lack of proper sanitation reflects our culture and values.

Toilets and sanitation systems reflect our culture and values as much as the cars we drive. 
Unfortunately it is a linear flow of resources, waste generation and disposal. 

Ecosan is reflective of culture and values, although at this point in time it is considered an alternative one, one with ecological design and systems thinking. It's more than just a toilet or technology, though. It is actually a view of how we should and could live on this planet. It involves restoring communities, protecting cultures, preserving our resources, and protecting biodiversity.   Our values are so terribly askew.  Global expenses, our priorities, in billions of U.S. dollars: Cosmetics in the U.S., 8 billion Perfumes in the U.S. and Europe, 12 billion Cigarettes in Europe, 50 billion Alcoholic drinks in Europe, 105 billion Ice cream in Europe, 11 billion Pet foods in Europe and the U.S., 17 billion I have purposely left out the cost of wars globally because we have very little control over that expenditure but the things I have listed are things we do have a personal choice of expenditures on....and then,                                              These are not prescriptive but for personal use, Narcotic drugs in the world, 400 billion

The cost of needs in comparison (in billions) :

Basic education for all                                                 6

Water and sanitation for all                                          9

Reproductive health for women                                 12

Basic health and nutrition                                           13              

So, to sum it up....the U.S. and Europe spend more on perfume annually than it would cost to provide water and sanitation for all. More than 10 times as much money is spent on alcoholic beverages! And narcotics, well....it's just plain evil. We are so out of balance in wealth distribution and sharing our planet's abundance it is truly scary. One more almost ridiculous example: The top 225 wealthiest people have $1 TRILLION dollars between them. Conversely, the world's poorest 2.5 billion also share $1 trillion dollars. A mere 225 people have the same amount of money as 2.5 billion put together!! WE CAN AFFORD ECO-SANITATION!