Global Handwashing Day

Global Handwashing Day
Emblem used for Global Handwashing Day around the world. Shown in the image are water, soap, and hand.
Celebrations"Our hands, our future!"
Date15 October
Next time15 October 2025 (2025-10-15)
FrequencyAnnual
First time15 October 2008
Related toMenstrual hygiene day
Washing Hands Using Clean Water

Global Hand washing Day (GHD) is an international hand washing promotion campaign to motivate and mobilize people around the world to improve their hand washing habits. Washing hands at critical points both during the day and washing with soap are important. In 2008, Global Handwashing Day was celebrated for the first time[citation needed]. This day aims to make people around the world aware of the importance of washing their hands with soap in order to prevent diseases and infections[citation needed]. To commem.orate this special day, over 120 million children in 70 countries were encouraged to practice handwashing with soap. Since then, the movement has built momentum, garnering support from various stakeholders such as governments, schools, NGOs, and private firms.[1]

Global Hand washing Day occurs on 15 October of every year. The global campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of hand-washing with soap as a key factor to disease prevention.[2] With proper handwashing, respiratory and intestinal diseases can be reduced by 25–50%[citation needed].

  1. ^ "About Global Handwashing Day - The Global Handwashing Partnership". globalhandwashing.org. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  2. ^ Rai, Frank (12 August 2009). "Lae Marks Global Handwashing Day". Post-Courier (Papua New Guinea). Retrieved 24 July 2015 – via Newspaper Source – EBSCO.