How do we achieve universal access to equitable sanitation and hygiene by 2030?

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The importance of sanitation and hygiene obviously transcends time and geography—but even where this is explicitly recognized in policy, the needs of hundreds of millions of global citizens remain unmet. The proportion of the global population using at least a basic sanitation service increased from 59% in 2000 to 68% in 2015. Despite the progress, however, 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water services, 3.6 billion lack safely managed sanitation services, and 2.3 billion lacked basic hygiene services in 2020. Such limitations lead to wider spread of serious diseases such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children under 5 around the world.

Working together with governments, NGOs and local partners, Reckitt has been successful in delivering programmes and campaigns that are driving sustainable behavioural changes and access to basic water and sanitation in communities across the world.

Reckitt is proud to support the Lead2030 challenge for SDG 6. This challenge was launched to support solutions which work to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, paying special attention to the needs of rural communities in developing economies where basic infrastructure is still lacking.

Founded by Samir Lakhani, Eco-Soap Bank is a nonprofit organization employing economically-disadvantaged women to recycle leftover soap from factories — which is then redistributed to children and refugees along with hygiene education to save lives.

Lack of access to soap remains a critical factor in fighting the spread of preventable diseases worldwide. In some areas only 1% of households have soap for handwashing. Eco-Soap Bank seeks to address the critical need for hygiene.

The organization employs 160 women as soapmakers and has recycled more than 30 million bars of soap to date. More importantly, the organization has reached 6.5 million people with soap and hygiene education! The organization's 2030 vision is to employ 4,000 women as soapmakers and reach 125 million children annually with soap and education. By saving soap, Eco-Soap Bank can save lives!