MUMBAI: The exploration of private sector partnerships is clearly important in the drive for behavioural change in safe sanitation and hygiene practices. In this regard, the Global Forum on Sanitation and Hygiene gave a positive impetus through case studies of sanitary napkins and soaps.
Particularly insightful was the Lifebuoy Behaviour Change Journey, a private sector partnership which contributes to tacit behaviour change around core sanitation practices (washing hands, use of soaps for washing hands, and washing hands at important occasions).
Anila Gopalakrishnan, the Lifebuoy Social Mission Manager for UniLever India gave a presentation on ‘Key features on large scale behaviour change programme’ and provided the ‘Big Idea-School of 5 campaigns’. Anila stressed the need to influence children at school, during their formative years, to inculcate sanitation practices as a habit. “Pervading sustainable, robust and safe sustainable practices among children is easier and shows permanence of the same,” remarked Anila.
The Lifebuoy social mission aims to contribute to behavioural transformation of 1 billion people by promoting the use of soap in their handwashing practices.
Praveen Kumar, research associate of Professor Shyama Ramani
