CBC Nova Scotia Morning - A national movement to install bidets in campus washrooms is sweeping the country.

Bidet groups are popping up on campuses across Canada, including in Nova Scotia. We hear about the culture shock of landing in Canada and realizing public washrooms lack bidets. And what that means for international students who require bidets to practice their religion.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE.

CBC Ottawa Morning - The push for bidets in Canada.

Aliya Ali Shaikha is the founder of Bidets in Canada campaign and explains why this addition to OttawaU's bathrooms matters.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE.

CBC Toronto Morning - Bidets in Canada

In this CBC Metro Morning episode, Aliya Ali Shaikha, founder of Bidets in Canada, explains why bidets should be normalized across Canada and highlights how the movement has expanded to 20+ universities nationwide.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE.

Students push for bidets across U of T

Bidets at UofT — a student-led initiative to install bidets on campus washroom launched by University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) alumna Aliya Ali, has expanded across all three campuses at the University of Toronto. The effort is being backed by student unions at Scarborough, Mississauga, and St. George campuses, with ongoing discussions between university administrations shaping how and where the installations can move forward.

READ THE ARTICLE HERE.

Bidets makes their debut at UTM.

On September 17, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Students’ Union (UTMSU) and the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) announced the arrival of four new bidets in the Student Centre. One was installed in each men’s and women’s washroom on the first floor, one in an all-gender washroom on the second floor, and one in the washroom in the multi-faith prayer room.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

UTMSU Student Centre flush with four new bidets.

Aliya Ali Shaikha, a UTSC graduate and founder of Bidets at U of T, wrote to The Varsity, “I was surprised at how fast the UTMSU implemented bidets. Huge thanks to the president Andrew Park, General Manager Shane Madhani, and Division 2 Board of Director Adam El Falou for making it happen. UTM’s implementation has created a movement across Canada. We only go up from here.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

The bidet revolution: Are public washrooms in North America inclusive enough?

Ben speaks with Aliya Ali, a student at the University of Toronto, and they discuss her recent advocacy for the installation of bidets on campus, highlighting the cultural significance and health implications. They also touch on the broader themes of cultural identity, inclusivity, and the challenges of accommodating diverse needs in a multicultural society.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE.

Does U of T need more Bidets?

A bidet is a device that uses water to help users clean themselves after using the washroom. There are a number of students who say they need to use a bidet in order to feel cleaner after using the facilities. Aliya Ali, founder of Bidets at U of T is advocating for the school to add more. In this episode, I talked with Aliya about what their benefits are, and why some students want more of them.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE.

Opinion: U of T should install bidets on its campuses.

Hygiene practices differ across the world. Different cultures have different standards for what is considered cleanliness and proper bodily grooming. Yet, many non-Westerners are unified in their shock and disgust at the typical Western bathroom — they seldom have bidets. From Asia to Europe, many people across the world are accustomed to seeing bidets in bathrooms — experiencing a culture-shock to discover that bidets are not a standard bathroom practice in North America.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.