At a Glance
Oyungerel (Oyuna) grew up in a small rural town in Mongolia, that was influenced by the communist past of the Soviet Union. After studying planned economics at Moscow University, she would become an activist promoting democracy in Mongolia after the Soviet Union collapsed. She has served as a member of parliament and Minister of Culture and Tourism, where she worked towards the country’s sustainable development.
Mongolia faces significant challenges in terms of water and sanitation. More than 60% of toilets in Mongolia are open-pit latrine toilets, which are highly unsanitary, a health hazard, and even life-threatening. To an extent where, the entire country considers the word ‘toilet’ a taboo.
In order to address this, Oyuna initiated the campaign “Let’s Change Our Toilets” with the aim of changing people’s attitudes and behaviors towards toilets. The mission focuses on improving overall hygiene, and the environment, through widespread adoption of safe, sanitary, and eco-friendly toilets. She mainly focused on remote areas without access to water, and Ger districts (nomadic settlements) in urban areas. Oyuna’s campaign involves introducing alternative toilet options, conducting training and awareness programs in communities, and promoting collaborations with the business sector.
A National Hub for Sanitation Awareness and Education
The Toilet Education Center will serve as Mongolia’s first permanent facility for learning about dry toilets and sustainable sanitation. Designed to welcome over 5,000 visitors each year, it will host more than 50 training sessions annually—providing 750 people with practical knowledge about hygiene, environmental protection, and waste management. Around 3,500 community members—mostly students—will visit regularly, while 1,000 students from nearby schools will take part in hands-on workshops during its first year alone. Through interactive demonstrations, school partnerships, and public tours, the Center aims to transform cultural attitudes and build lasting awareness about safe sanitation.
Empowering Change Beyond the Center’s Walls
Oyuna’s vision extends far beyond one facility. By 2030, the initiative aims to help provide 6,000 hygienic toilets to low-income households around the capital, creating lasting solutions for families who have lived without safe sanitation for generations. The Center will also act as a training hub for local sales agents and installation technicians, creating jobs and building technical capacity to sustain the movement. In just a few months since construction began, Oyuna’s team received over 300 inquiries from people eager to learn more about dry toilets—clear proof that change is already underway.
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