“SATO Toilet Express” takes affordable sanitation solutions to 95 villages across Bihar and Maharashtra”

SATO, the award-winning social business part of LIXIL, is proud to announce its ambitious and impactful initiative, “SATO Toilet Express – Swachata Ka Sandesh Gaon Gaon Mein!” This van-based awareness campaign is designed to raise awareness about the importance of using toilets in rural and semi-urban areas across 2 states in India – Bihar and Maharashtra.

“SATO Toilet Express” is not just a campaign; it is a dynamic and comprehensive effort to instill a behavioral shift towards improved hygiene and sanitation practices. The initiative reaches the grassroots of society, embodying SATO’s commitment to make safe sanitation more accessible to all. In order to achieve that, it introduces affordable solutions that can be easily acquired at the village level by masons, retailers, and dealers. The van covered 60 villages in Bihar and 35 villages in Maharashtra over 30 days, bringing awareness and promoting positive sanitation practices in each community.

Recent research by FINISH Mondial and the Sanitation Learning Hub in Bihar & Maharashtra reveals increased toilet coverage after the launch of SBM, yet universal access remains elusive. Poverty and social marginalization disproportionately affect those excluded from toilet usage. Retrofitting and maintenance services are crucial, addressing defunct toilets. Interventions should factor in flood, drought, and appropriate technology for diverse terrains. Many schools lack functional handwashing facilities. Community toilets often don’t exist or are non-functional due to a lack of maintenance systems. In most villages, finding workers for toilet construction is challenging. The study underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to ensure widespread, sustainable sanitation access.

Ms. Anandita Kakkar, Leader Marketing, South Asia, LIXIL, commended:’ By directly engaging communities, this campaign transcends conventional hygiene promotion, becoming a powerful catalyst for positive change in peoples’ lives. Going beyond awareness, SATO’s hands-on approach in regions of Bihar and Maharashtra instills lasting behavioral shifts. The impact is not just immediate but signifies a broader transformation towards sustainable sanitation practices.

The initiative involves integrating dynamic awareness modules into the SATO Toilet Express to educate communities on the importance of using toilets, promoting proper hygiene, and emphasizing the overall well-being impact of sanitation. It includes interactive initiatives like live demonstrations and engaging activities to make sanitation awareness informative. SATO has partnered with local community leaders and NGOs to ensure the campaign aligns with the unique needs and cultural nuances of each region.