Harpic, Sajida Foundation to support 2,000 more sanitation workers
Harpic Bangladesh marked World Toilet Day—a global observance established by the United Nations to highlight the importance of safe sanitation—with a special awareness event at Lakeshore Heights in Dhaka.
The programme aimed to promote understanding of sanitation and hygiene, while recognising the vital contributions of sanitation workers nationwide. Academics, experts and representatives from government, NGOs and the private sector attended to discuss the current state and future priorities of Bangladesh's sanitation landscape.
The event began with a keynote speech by Dr Abdullah Al-Muyeed on "World Toilet Day and Sanitation Workers". He highlighted the essential role of sanitation workers in safeguarding public health, outlined key challenges in the sector, and emphasised practical solutions, including the responsibilities corporations can assume to support and strengthen the workforce. He noted that the toilet is "not merely a fixture for relief, but the sanctuary of sanitation and hygiene".
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A panel discussion followed, featuring DNCC Chief Waste Management Officer Commodore ABM Shamsul Alam; DSCC Chief Waste Management Officer Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder; SAJIDA Foundation Deputy CEO Fazlul Hoque; Mojar School Founder and Executive Director Arian Arif; and Reckitt Benckiser (Bangladesh) PLC Head of Marketing Sabrin Maruf Tinni. Reckitt Benckiser External Affairs Manager Md Rakib Uddin moderated the session.
Panellists emphasised the need for greater collaboration between public and private stakeholders, noting that joint efforts are vital to ensuring safe, hygienic and accessible sanitation facilities for all.
A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of new chapters of Harpic's updated comic book, "Dipu–Tushi's Hygiene Adventures". The series aims to teach children about personal cleanliness, toilet hygiene and healthy living through engaging and interactive storytelling. A cartoon adaptation of the series was also released to further expand hygiene education for young audiences across the country.
Harpic Bangladesh and SAJIDA Foundation also announced the expansion of their joint initiative to support a further 2,000 sanitation workers and their families, in collaboration with the city corporations.
The programme concluded with a review of Harpic Bangladesh's initiatives over the past year, reaffirming the brand's commitment to improving national sanitation and hygiene standards.
"World Toilet Day reminds us that sanitation is a fundamental human right," said Sabrin Maruf Tinni, Head of Marketing at Reckitt Benckiser (Bangladesh) PLC. "Harpic is proud to help raise awareness in rural communities, provide hygiene education in primary schools, support sanitation workers, and help underprivileged children learn about hygiene. We will continue to deliver impactful initiatives to improve public health throughout Bangladesh."
World Toilet Day, observed globally on 19 November each year, aims to highlight the need for safe sanitation and supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6—ensuring access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030.
