In this episode of the Sex, Soap and Alcohol podcast, host Professor Myriam Sidibé reflects on the inception and global impact of Global Handwashing Day, a movement that began over 15 years ago at Unilever with a simple bar of soap. The podcast features Marianne Yarrow, a PR expert who helped launch the campaign, and Janet Mbugua, one of the first ambassadors. They discuss the challenges and successes of creating a global awareness day, the importance of advocacy, and how to sustain such movements. The conversation covers their personal experiences, the branding versus authenticity debate, and tips on creating and maintaining meaningful advocacy campaigns.  

00:00 The Birth of Global Handwashing Day  
00:52 Reflecting on the Journey: From PhD to Global Movement  
01:39 Early Challenges and Breakthroughs  
03:25 Building a Coalition: The Role of Brands and Partnerships  
07:20 The First Global Handwashing Day: A Milestone Achievement  
11:56 Embedding the Campaign into Culture and Business Strategy  
13:47 Comparing Global Handwashing Day to Other International Days  
17:14 Personal Reflections: Becoming an Ambassador  
23:48 Maintaining Authenticity in Advocacy  
25:47 The Impact of COVID-19 on Handwashing Awareness  
26:40 Secrets to Sustaining Advocacy and Creating Movements  
36:29 Golden Rules for Creating Effective Advocacy Days