IPDC to Fund Operation of Six Dhaka Public Toilets in Partnership with Bhumijo
IPDC Finance PLC has partnered with the social enterprise Bhumijo to support the operation and maintenance of six public toilets in Dhaka. The main goal of the initiative is to increase access to clean, safe and hygienic toilets for everyone, including women and disadvantaged people.
Under the partnership, IPDC Finance will bear the operating costs of six public toilets in six busy areas of the capital. As a result, the toilets will be cleaned regularly and kept usable, and the service will never be interrupted, the organisers said.
The six toilets are: the Ananya women’s public toilet at Mohakhali Bus Terminal, the Bhumijo public toilet at Gulshan 1, the Bhumijo Janbahan public toilet at Mirpur 10, the women-only Bhumijo-Rabindra women’s public toilet at Gausia’s Nur Mansion, the Bhumijo women’s public toilet at the outpatient premises of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and the Bhumijo Khilkhet public toilet at Khilkhet Bazar.
IPDC’s funding will cover the salaries of cleaners and staff, water and electricity bills, essential hygiene supplies including soap, tissue, sanitizer and disinfectant, as well as regular maintenance, supervision and minor repairs.
During the project, support will be provided to all six public toilets simultaneously, so that the quality of service remains consistent and everyone benefits in the long term.
The agreement signing ceremony was attended by Bhumijo’s founder and CEO Farhana Rashid, founder and COO Md Masudul Islam, and IPDC’s Chief Financial Officer Fahmida Khan, along with other representatives.
Fahmida Khan, Chief Financial Officer of IPDC Finance PLC, said: “Clean and safe toilets are extremely important for protecting public health, especially for women and disadvantaged people. Through this partnership, we want to stand beside Bhumijo to keep these services running properly, so that the lives of Dhaka’s residents become more comfortable.” She said she believes the initiative will strengthen IPDC’s commitment to bringing positive change to people’s lives through practical solutions.
Farhana Rashid, founder and CEO of Bhumijo, said: “Regular operating support is essential to keep public toilets clean, safe and usable. Through the partnership with IPDC, we will be able to maintain the toilets properly, ensure the necessary hygiene supplies and provide a more reliable service.” She also said work would continue to make public toilets more accessible for everyone, especially women and disadvantaged people.
Bhumijo is a Dhaka-based social enterprise that builds and operates public toilets. It places special emphasis on building women-friendly public toilets usable by everyone in areas with high footfall.
