Handwashing is one of the most important and effective ways to prevent the spread of disease. It’s estimated that proper handwashing could reduce diarrheal illnesses by up to 45% and respiratory infections by up to 25%. In honor of Global Handwashing Day on October 15, 2022, let’s take a look at the importance of handwashing and how we can make it a habit in our daily lives.
What is Global Handwashing Day?
Global Handwashing Day is an annual event that takes place on October 15th. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap as a way to prevent disease.
The Global Handwashing Partnership (GHP) was founded in 2008 to promote and support handwashing with soap around the world. GHP works with a range of partners, including governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and the media, to make handwashing with soap a part of everyday life.
In 2015, over 180 million people in over 100 countries took part in Global Handwashing Day activities. This year’s theme is “Make Handwashing a Habit!” and GHP is calling on everyone to take action to help make handwashing with soap a habit for more people around the world.
There are many ways you can get involved in Global Handwashing Day. You can join one of the thousands of events taking place around the world or organize your own event. You can also spread the word about handwashing on social media using #GlobalHandWashingDay or by downloading and sharing resources from GHP’s website.
So let’s make this year’s Global Hand washing Day the biggest and best yet – and help make handwashing with soap a habit for everyone!
Global Handwashing Day 2022 Theme
The 2022 Global Handwashing Day theme is “Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene.” No matter your role, you can celebrate Global Handwashing Day.
GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | October 15 | Saturday |
| 2023 | October 15 | Sunday |
| 2024 | October 15 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | October 15 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | October 15 | Thursday |
The History of Global Handwashing Day
Global Handwashing Day was first celebrated in 2008, the brainchild of the Global Handwashing Partnership. The partnership is a multi-sectoral group of organizations dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent disease.
Each year on October 15, Global Handwashing Day serves as a reminder to wash our hands with soap at key times throughout the day. The date also serves as an opportunity to advocate for better handwashing facilities and access to soap in schools, workplaces, and communities around the world.
The theme for 2020 was “Hand Hygiene for All,” which focuses on increasing access to handwashing facilities and education worldwide. This year’s celebration comes at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has made hand hygiene more important than ever before. Washing our hands regularly with soap and water is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease.
Global Handwashing Day is an opportunity to remind us all of the importance of hand hygiene in preventing disease. Let’s take this day as an opportunity to make a commitment to washing our hands regularly and promoting hand hygiene in our communities!
Why is Handwashing Important?
Handwashing with soap and water is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others from the spread of disease. Handwashing can help prevent the spread of respiratory infections, like colds and flu, and can also help reduce the spread of gastrointestinal infections, like food poisoning.
In addition to preventing the spread of illness, handwashing can also help keep your hands clean and free from dirt, dust, and other allergens. Regular handwashing can also help to prevent skin infections.
So why is handwashing so important? Handwashing is a simple, effective way to prevent the spread of disease and keep your hands clean. Make sure to wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially before eating or handling food, after using the restroom, and after coming into contact with someone who is sick.
Handwashing Tips
Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease. Here are some tips to help you wash your hands effectively:
-Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
-Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
-Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
-Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
-Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
What You Can Do to Support Global Handwashing Day
One way to support Global Handwashing Day is to promote the importance of handwashing with soap at key times, including before eating and after using the toilet. You can also help create awareness by sharing information and resources about handwashing with others.
You can also support Global Handwashing Day by volunteering with an organization that is working to promote handwashing or by donating money to a handwashing-related cause. Finally, you can simply spread the word about this important day and encourage others to take part in promoting handwashing around the world.
Conclusion
It is estimated that nearly two million people die each year from diseases that could be prevented by simply washing their hands. Global Handwashing Day was created to raise awareness of the importance of handwashing with soap as a way to prevent disease. The next Global Handwashing Day will be held on October 15, 2022. Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating this important day!
