Partnership Details and Impact
Essity, in collaboration with UNICEF Mexico, has been working to ensure that children have access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities, and education about menstruation. Alejandra Pulido, Essity’s spokesperson, emphasizes that these elements boost students’ self-esteem and encourage school attendance.
Alliance Overview
Since 2019, the “Hygiene is Our Right” alliance has focused on three main areas: improving school infrastructure (WASH – water, sanitation, and hygiene), health education including menstrual cycles, and advocacy for sustainable progress. Over six years, thousands of students in areas with significant educational gaps have studied in safer and more dignified environments.
Concrete Programs
- Improving school facilities with potable water, functional restrooms, and handwashing spaces.
- Training teachers to ensure continuous use and maintenance of these facilities.
- Radio series “Mis Días de Luna” disseminating menstrual cycle information to communities with limited connectivity.
- Donating hygiene products to girls, women, and mobile families.
- Generating evidence to strengthen public policies, such as the National Menstrual Management Survey.
Measurable Impact
More than 15,900 students and 350 teachers have directly benefited from the programs. Ten infrastructure models adapted to various contexts have been implemented, and 430 teachers and 305 young individuals have been trained as knowledge replicators. Furthermore, 22 federal entities are advancing in health and school hygiene regulatory frameworks.
Challenges and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals
According to Pulido, the biggest challenge for companies is integrating sustainability as a strategic axis with clear objectives, transparency, and measurable results. Essity also aims to reduce its water footprint, promote responsible water use, and progress towards net-zero operations by 2050. These actions align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, responsible production, and climate action.
Long-term Objectives
The alliance aims to promote behavioral changes and public policies, ensuring that education, hygiene, and access to water become real rights for everyone. This strengthens resilient communities and fosters a more equitable and sustainable development.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the collaboration between Essity and UNICEF Mexico about? The partnership focuses on providing clean water, proper sanitation facilities, and menstrual education to enhance students’ self-esteem and school attendance.
- What are the main areas of focus for this alliance? The collaboration concentrates on improving school infrastructure (WASH), health education including menstrual cycles, and advocacy for sustainable progress.
- How many students and teachers have benefited from this initiative? Over 15,900 students and 350 teachers have directly benefited from the programs.
- What are some of the concrete programs implemented by this alliance? Programs include improving school facilities, training teachers, radio series on menstrual education, donating hygiene products, and generating evidence for public policy improvements.
- How does Essity’s work align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals? Essity aims to reduce its water footprint, promote responsible water use, and progress towards net-zero operations by 2050. These efforts align with SDGs related to health, education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, responsible production, and climate action.
