Colgate-Palmolive urges Kenyans to “make every drop count” for World Water Day

Colgate-Palmolive East Africa Ltd, a subsidiary of the global consumer products company, will honor World Water Day 2017 by promoting water conservation awareness among Kenyans.

As part of a global commitment to “Making Every Drop of Water Count,” Colgate-Palmolive aims to emphasize water awareness and conservation with a campaign encouraging consumers to make small changes that can make a big difference.

Observed annually on 22 March, World Water Day was designated by the United Nations as a day for taking action to tackle the global water crisis. Today, there are over 663 million people living without a safe drinking water supply close to home, spending countless hours queuing or walking to distant sources, and coping with the health impacts of using contaminated water.

Kenya in particular faces a number of water difficulties, such as economic water scarcity and limited access to clean water and sanitation. An estimated 17 million Kenyans still lack access to safe water, greatly impacting health and infant mortality.

This coupled with the fact that Kenya is currently experiencing a severe drought, means that the country faces a dire water outlook.

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, launched in 2015, include a target to ensure everyone has access to safe water by 2030, making water a key issue in the fight to eradicate extreme poverty.

Recognizing the responsibility businesses have in addressing the issue of water security, Colgate-Palmolive has made water a global sustainability priority.  As part of the company’s 2015-2020 sustainability strategy commitment to “Making Every Drop of Water Count,” Colgate established water-related goals that include promoting water conservation awareness to global consumers, partnering with local and global organizations to bring clean water to under-served areas, and reducing manufacturing water intensity by half compared to 2002.

For this year’s, World Water Day campaign, Colgate-Palmolive will flight its global “Save Water” television advertisement in Kenya and 18 other African countries during the week of 20 March 2017. Colgate-Palmolive will also be running a month-long social media campaign that invites people to make a pledge and share simple tips to save water.

Colgate knows people use water every day when brushing teeth, bathing and washing hands and dishes. By making small changes, we can make a big difference, and together, make every drop count.