Unilever Champions Behavioural Change Around Hygiene

As part of efforts to celebrate Global Handwashing Day, using it to drive change in hygiene behaviours, Unilever through its Lifebuoy soap has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State Government of Osun.
The key objective of the MOU is to share a common vision and improve the health and wellbeing of Nigerian children through implementation of integrated school health education and behavioural change activities around hygiene, oral care, nutrition and sustainable energy consumption as part of their commitment and dedication of resources into measurable results for all children.
Speaking at the Global Handwashing Day celebration in the State of Osun, David Okeme, brand building director, Unilever, said the company’s key motivation is how to help children reach the age of 5 through the promotion of knowledge, behaviours and practices on soap use for handwashing and improved hygiene.
While acknowledging that handwashing with soap can cut diarrheal diseases among children, Okeme, who was represented by Victor Ajieroh, nutrition and health manager, West Africa, Unilever, stated that it was collaboration with stakeholders to drive this initiative which is aimed at improving the wellbeing of children susceptible to developing infection.
“Unilever is happy to be part of the 2013 celebration of the Global Handwashing Day in collaboration with the State Government of Osun, the Partnership for Child Development and other stakeholders. To further drive behavioural change, we are continuing with our Lifebuoy community hygiene programme in collaboration with the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, National Task Group on Sanitation and UNICEF through the community Assisted Total Sanitation programme in Nigeria,” he added.
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