Unilever, Friendship join hands to expand hygiene access

Unilever Bangladesh Limited and Friendship have joined hands to expand health and hygiene services for around 42,000 people in underserved communities across more than 20 districts.

The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed recently, will remain effective until 31 December 2027, according to a press release.

The initiative will promote hygiene awareness, maternal and child wellbeing and preventive healthcare, while supporting capacity building and entrepreneurship among Friendship Community Medicaides (FCMs).

A network of 690 FCMs will work with communities to provide health education and facilitate access to essential products such as bathing soap, handwash, toothpaste, laundry soap, detergent, dishwashing bars and toilet cleaners.

Zeeshan Bayezid Rahman, director, customer strategy and channel excellence, Unilever Bangladesh, and Muhammad Shameem Reza, senior director, legal and chief financial officer, Friendship, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

The programme will leverage Friendship’s grassroots network and Unilever’s health and hygiene expertise to encourage healthier practices, with a particular focus on women and children in hard-to-reach areas.