We do hope that handwashing is a regular practice that you do every day, but on October 15 you should put just a little more thought to it as it is Global Handwashing Day. Until COVID-19 happened, handwashing and its importance in helping prevent the spread of diseases is something that most of us probably never gave much thought to. But the global pandemic has really shone a light on the importance of handwashing, meaning this day now carries extra relevance, even though it has been around since 2008.
If you think that not washing your hands after leaving the bathroom is disgusting, then you’ll probably be surprised at how many people don’t wash their hands daily. Thus, comes in Global Handwashing Day, a day where good hygiene is encouraged and practiced all around the world by millions of people. So let’s get started learning about the importance of this hygienic day!
History of Global Handwashing Day
This campaign, established by the Global Handwashing Partnership in 2008, was made to help motivate people to improve their hand washing habits. This day was promoted by the UN General Assembly when its first event took place during World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden.
World Water Week is a week-long global water conference that addresses the issues of sustainability with water consumption and development. The focus for Global Handwashing Day was school children. This global advocacy day successfully reigned in with over 120 million children around the world participating in better hand care in over 70 countries around the world.
India was one of their biggest participants during that year, as cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and his teammates joined an estimated 100 million school children around the country in lathering up for better health and hygiene.
According to their website, each year over 100 million people participate in this event in over 100 countries and is endorsed by various governments, institutions, and organizations to promote better hand washing.
The GHP implements new and creative ways to promote people to wash hands with soap and continues to do research during this day to track the progress of human routine. According to a study conducted by the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, hand care can reduce the mortality rate of respiratory disease by 25% and diarrheal diseases can be reduced by 50%, and this is all just by washing your hands with soap.
How to Celebrate Global Handwashing Day
Keeping up a routine of washing your hands after you eat or leave the bathroom can reduce the risks of diseases more so that vaccines and medications. Washing your hands during this day can also cultivate others to keep their hygiene up. You can also hashtag #globalhandwashingday on social media and look up statistics of how handwashing can easily prevent infectious diseases and share that information with your friends.
History of Global Handwashing Day
Global Handwashing Day was founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership as an opportunity to design and implement creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap, especially during critical times.
The first Global Handwashing Day was held in 2008. Since then, the community as well as national leaders and influencers have used this national holiday to spread awareness about the value of clean hands. It really is a valuable message, hand washing is such a simple practice, but it really can make all the difference and save lives.
Global Handwashing Day continues to grow. It’s endorsed by schools, governments, international institutions, private companies, civil society organizations, and more.
Global Handwashing Day timeline
- 2019
Clean Hands for All
The 2019 theme for Global Handwashing Day was, “Life is Better with Clean Hands.” The hygiene campaign targeted adults who are parents and caregivers in emphasizing the importance of handwashing.
- 2008
First Global Handwashing Day
Over 120 million children around the world washed their hands with soap in more than 70 countries.
- 1980s
The Beginning
The Global Handwashing Partnership created Global Handwashing Day at World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden.
- 1980s
Wash Your Hands!
The first hand hygiene regulations were published nationally.
Global Handwashing Day FAQs
What are the three aims of Global Handwashing Day?
To create a culture of handwashing with soap in all societies. To create awareness on the state of handwashing in each country. To inform people about the benefits of handwashing with soap.
Why do we celebrate Global Handwashing Day?
To create awareness on how handwashing can prevent the spread of disease, and encourage more handwashing within society.
How can I do my part?
Make handwashing a habit! Implement it as a family before meals. Promote handwashing in homes, schools, workplaces, health facilities, and more.
5 Facts About Global Handwashing Day
2019 Theme
Global Handwashing Day’s 2019 theme was “Clean Hands for All.” The theme emphasized the push to leave no one behind in the Sustainable Development Agenda as a reminder that inclusivity is mandatory when addressing handwashing inequalities.
Clean hands save lives
Hand care can reduce the mortality rate of respiratory diseases by 25% and diarrheal diseases can be reduced by 50%, according to a study done by the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal. This can simply be done by washing your hands with soap!
India played a huge role
India was one of the biggest participants of Global Handwashing Day in 2008. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and his teammates joined an estimated 100 million children in promoting better health and hygiene.
Everyone does not have access
Only 60% of the world’s population has access to a basic handwashing facility.
Handwashing isn't accessible for everyone
Currently, there are 17 countries where more than 10 million people lack handwashing facilities. The availability of soap and water at handwashing facilities varies. In Ethiopia, only 0.1% of households had soap and water at the handwashing facility while in Iraq, 91% had these items available.
How To Celebrate Global Handwashing Day
Post on social media
Share on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other platforms to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing.
Get involved
Promote Global Handwashing Day in your community by ordering handwashing posters and fliers and posting them throughout the community’s public spaces such as parks and schools.
Practice hand washing
Always wash your hands with soap especially before eating and cooking and after using the bathroom.
Why We Love Global Handwashing Day
Clean hands save lives
We’re making a difference by modeling ideal handwashing behavior and reminding others to always wash their hands, especially during critical times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
It creates awareness
It really does save lives, but not everybody realizes that, and Global Handwashing Day is here to make people more aware of the difference washing your hands can make.
It’s easy
Handwashing with soap is one of the most basic, healthiest habits that we can pick up.
Also on Tue Oct 15, 2024...
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