18th October 2024: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and JSW Foundation, as part of their strategic partnership to establish 10 new Suvidha centers in Mumbai, today launched the first such facility in Jagruti Nagar, Ghatkopar.
This initiative builds on the successful Suvidha Model initiated by HUL in 2016, which currently operates 17 centers in partnership with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and HSBC India, impacting over 450,000 people annually.
Key Highlights of the New Suvidha Centres:
The Suvidha Centres are designed to address the comprehensive hygiene, and sanitation needs of low-income communities, offering all essential services under one roof. The tested and proven holistic approach is built around human-centric design, providing safety to women & children, and working with the communities. These facilities, in addition to strong community engagement and strong operating processes, lead to high satisfaction and improved health outcomes among users.
- 24×7 access: The new center will benefit an additional 20,000 people, providing access to safe toilets that run 24×7, purified drinking water, showers, and laundry services.
- Affordable Amenities: Services will be offered at affordable rates
- Inclusively designed keeping in mind the needs of women, children, the elderly, and the differently abled
- Focus on the Safety of Women & Children: The center has separate washrooms for men, women, and children with facilities for senior citizens and the specially abled. To ensure the safety of the women using the facility, the washrooms are equipped with a ‘panic button’ for emergencies.
- Sustainability at the core: 140 million liters have already been saved cumulatively through our centers. The centers are powered by solar energy.
- Behavior change programs: HUL and JSW Foundation will run a comprehensive behavior change program in the communities around the center to ensure improvement in individual and overall community health.
Mr. Sashidhar Vempala, Chief Sustainability Officer, Hindustan Unilever, said, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our first Suvidha center in collaboration with JSW Foundation, making this the 18th center in Mumbai. This marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing safe and dignified sanitation services to underserved communities in the city. This partnership not only expands access to essential hygiene facilities but also embodies our dedication to sustainability and community empowerment. Together, we are paving the way for a healthier, more inclusive future, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive in a clean and safe environment.”
Commenting on the first jointly launched Suvidha Centre in Jagruti Nagar, Ashwini Saxena, CEO of JSW Foundation said, “Our partnership with Hindustan Unilever Limited and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to set up the Suvidha Centres reflect JSW Foundation’s commitment towards empowering the local communities with a focus on the safety and welfare of women and children. We believe this partnership will go a long way in ensuring equitable access to quality and affordable sanitation facilities for the people of Mumbai.”
Additional details about Suvidha centre
- 450,000+ men, women, and children currently have access to clean sanitation facilities
- 140 million liters of water saved by 17 centers cumulatively to date
- 9 in 10 users find Suvidha centers easy to access and inclusive
- 98% of women believe Suvidha is safe for them and their children
- ~50% reduction in Diarrhoea and UTI cases among Suvidha users
- Over 90% user satisfaction among women and children on Suvidha services
