Harpic Bangladesh convened academics, experts, and officials from government and non-governmental organizations at Dhaka’s Lakeshore Heights hotel to mark World Toilet Day. The event aimed to raise awareness about sanitation and hygiene and recognize the vital contributions of the nation’s sanitation workers.
The program featured a keynote address by Dr Abdullah Al-Muyeed PhD on “World Toilet Day and Sanitation Workers.” He highlighted the essential public health role of sanitation workers, outlined sector challenges, and stressed practical solutions, including corporate responsibilities to support this workforce. He concluded by noting that the toilet is more than a fixture for relief; it is the sanctuary of sanitation and hygiene.
A panel discussion followed, moderated by Md Rakib Uddin, External Affairs Manager at Reckitt Benckiser (Bangladesh) PLC. Panelists included Commodore ABM Shamsul Alam, Chief Waste Management Officer, DNCC; Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder, Chief Waste Management Officer, DSCC; Fazlul Hoque, Deputy CEO, SAJIDA Foundation; Arian Arif, Founder and Executive Director, Mojar School; and Sabrin Maruf Tinni, Head of Marketing, Reckitt Benckiser (Bangladesh) PLC.
Discussions emphasized that strong public-private collaboration is essential for ensuring safe and hygienic sanitation facilities for all citizens across Bangladesh.
A key attraction was the unveiling of three new chapters of Harpic’s comic book “Dipu–Tushi’s Hygiene Adventures.” The book and an accompanying cartoon series are designed to teach children about personal and toilet cleanliness in a joyful, interactive way, with the aim of building long-term hygiene awareness.
Furthermore, Harpic Bangladesh and SAJIDA Foundation announced plans to expand their joint initiatives, supporting an additional 2,000 sanitation workers and their families in collaboration with the City Corporations.
The program concluded with an overview of Harpic Bangladesh’s activities over the past year, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to improving nationwide cleanliness and sanitation standards.
“World Toilet Day reminds us that sanitation is a fundamental human right. Harpic is proud to contribute to raising awareness in rural communities, providing hygiene education in primary schools, supporting sanitation workers, and helping underprivileged children learn about hygiene. We will continue to move forward with impactful initiatives to improve public health across Bangladesh,” said Sabrin Maruf Tinni, Head of Marketing at Reckitt Benckiser (BD) PLC.
World Toilet Day, observed annually on November 19, highlights the global need for safe sanitation and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 of ensuring access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for all by 2030.
