World Toilet Day, 19th November, celebrates toilets and raises awareness of the 4.2 billion people living without access to safely managed sanitation. It is about taking action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Ensure Availability and Sustainable Management of Water and Sanitation for All.
This year, Unilever’s toilet cleaning brand Domex aiming to generate awareness regarding the importance of improved and hygienic sanitation and its role for healthy life and environment, said a press released dated November 19.
Domex, in partnership with WaterAid, BRAC, 2030WRG, World Bank Group, BHUMIJO and Unilever, has organized a webinar called “Safe Sanitation; Our war continues” on November 19 to reach an audience of around 15 million virtually with Prothom Alo. In this session, expert representatives shared their views on the importance of improved sanitation, role of development organizations and businesses to achieve the SDG 6.
This webinar was attended by Mr. Partha Hefaz Shaikh, Policy and Advocacy Director, WaterAid Bangladesh, Dr. Md. Liakath Ali, Climate Change and Urban Development Director, BRAC, Ms. Farhana Rashid, CEO and Co-founder, BHUMIJO, Mr. Sayef Tanzeem Qayyum, Regional Coordinator, 2030 WRG, Water GP, World Bank and Mr. Tanzeen Ferdous, Marketing Director, Home Care, Unilever Bangladesh Limited.
Throughout 2020, Domex has taken multiple initiatives to raise COVID-19 awareness and the importance of safe sanitation. Domex, along with 2030WRG, World Bank Group and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, has worked to improve the sanitation in 64 DC Offices. Unilever’s Brand Domex is working with BRAC and Bhumijo to develop self-sustaining Public Toilet and Community toilets in Khulna and Dhaka Divisions.
In the webinar, Partha Hefaz Shaikh, Policy and Advocacy Director of WaterAid Bangladesh spoke about the importance of improved sanitation to ensure a better life for people and WaterAid’s aim to improve sanitation in Bangladesh.
He said: “Sanitation is one of the most important aspects of communities well-being and WaterAid is committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions across the country. However, to ensure decent sanitation facilities, collective effort is needed for sustainable WASH services for rural and urban households. At the same time, behavior change is also a starting point and a key to achieving SDG 6.”
Dr. Md Liakath Ali, Climate Change and Urban Development Director, BRAC spoke about how poor sanitation leads to poor health and climate and what can be done to rectify the situation.
He said:” Safely managed sanitation is the prime need of the country considering the climate resilience aspect during design and planning. It is time to think how best we can convert our sanitation waste into resources through containment, transportation, treatment and reuse.”
While talking about the importance of self-sustaining WASH model to achieve SDG 6, Ms. Farhana Rashid, CEO and Co-founder of BHUMIJO, also said: "Hygienic public toilet not only ensures healthy life but also brings dignity.”
Mr. Sayef Tanzeem Qayyum, Regional Coordinator, 2030 WRG, Water GP, World Bank focused on why fecal sludge management is an absolute necessity by saying, “Investing to upgrade Sewage Treatment and Fecal Sludge Management systems in our growing cities is an urgent priority to keep our cities clean which is essential for developing healthy communities, sustaining economic growth and preserving the ecosystems.”
Tanzeen Ferdous, Marketing Director, Homecare, Unilever Bangladesh Limited, highlighted on how private sector can play a critical role in improving the hygiene situation by championing behaviour change. "Private sector can play a major role in the softer part of the behavior changing aspect of the movement to achieve SDG 6. While facilities will be there to accommodate the hygienic requirements, it is the private sector that can come forward with their brands and messages that can change the perception of the masses.”
BDST: 1545 HRS, NOV 22, 2020
AP
