Amity University: Swachhata Knowledge Partners (SKP) of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) has been launched on 1st October, 2021, with the overall objective of creating ‘Garbage-Free Cities’. This implies that all municipal solid waste (including construction and demolition waste and plastic waste) and liquid waste (including grey and black water) in cities are safely collected, processed, and scientifically treated so that no untreated wastewater is discharged into water bodies, and no untreated municipal solid waste is sent to landfills.
Amity University’s Role as a Swachhata Knowledge Partners(SKP) under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0
Amity University has been selected as SKP by MoHUA, Government of India, for capacity building of various stakeholders in the urban local bodies under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0. As an SKP of State Urban Development Authority, Chhattisgarh (SUDA), Amity University conducted a one-day workshop on "Menstrual Hygiene Management & Management of Sanitary Waste & Domestic Hazards Waste" on 28 May 2025 at Raipur. More than 200 Swachhta Didis were trained as master trainers so that they can train other Swachhta Didis in the state of Chhattisgarh. Sh Arun Sao, Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, graced the event with his presence and motivated the trainers to carry the message of "Garbage Free Cities" to the community & bring about behavioural change in the people.In India, improper menstrual waste disposal continues to be a hidden crisis, with an estimated 12.3 billion disposable sanitary napkins discarded annually, most ending up in landfills or open environments. This poses significant health, environmental, and social risks, especially in densely populated urban areas. Recognising this, the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 integrates Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) as a priority intervention to ensure sustainable and inclusive urban sanitation. The training conducted by Amity University in partnership with SUDA Chhattisgarh not only focused on health and hygiene practices but also emphasised decentralised waste segregation, the use of biodegradable sanitary products, and community outreach.
By empowering Swachhta Didis with the skills and knowledge to train others, the initiative created a ripple effect for grassroots-level transformation, ultimately contributing to the national vision of Garbage Free Cities and fostering a culture of safe, dignified, and eco-conscious sanitation practices across Chhattisgarh.
Shakti Samvad: Strengthening Grassroots through Sanitation and Menstrual Health Education
Shakti Samvad, a flagship event under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0, marks a pivotal step toward inclusive sanitation through a gender-focused lens. Organised by the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA), Chhattisgarh, this special workshop observed Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, 2025, in Raipur. The session specifically addressed the safe disposal of sanitary waste and sustainable menstrual hygiene practices, with a strong emphasis on capacity building for Swachhta Didis. These frontline workers serve as vital change agents in urban neighbourhoods, particularly in low-income settlements where period stigma and poor sanitation infrastructure intersect. Through this initiative, Chhattisgarh is fostering a period-friendly ecosystem, empowering women and promoting behavioural shifts at the community level. With strong leadership from local governance and participation from women leaders, the programme reinforces the vision of “Swachhta se Sashaktikaran”—cleanliness that leads to empowerment—under the larger framework of Garbage Free Cities and inclusive urban development.
As India advances toward its vision of Garbage Free Cities under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0, initiatives like these highlight the critical role of grassroots capacity building in driving sustainable change. The collaboration between Amity University and SUDA Chhattisgarh demonstrates how focused training on menstrual hygiene and waste management can catalyse community transformation through empowered local champions like Swachhta Didis. Their involvement ensures not just cleaner cities, but also healthier, more informed, and inclusive urban spaces.
Glimpses of One-Day Workshop on Menstrual Hygiene Management & Management of
Sanitary Waste & Domestic Hazardous Waste
