Global Handwashing Day is celebrated annually on October 15. The global advocacy day aims to raise awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
Theme of Global Handwashing Day 2020 – “Hand Hygiene for All.”
About the theme
The theme follows the recent global initiative, Hand Hygiene for All Global Initiative, led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF).
Background
i.Global Handwashing Day was founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership.
ii.The first day was celebrated in 2008.
COVID-19 & Handwashing
i.Until the COVID-19 pandemic, handwashing and its importance to help prevent the spread of diseases was not much of importance.
ii.The global pandemic has highlighted the importance of handwashing.
Global Handwashing Day
The day provides an opportunity to design, test, and replicate creative ways to motivate people to wash their hands with soap at critical times.
2020 Events in India
UP Govt Launches a Social campaign ‘HathDhonaRokeCorona’
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a social campaign HathDhonaRokeCorona on the occasion of the global handwashing day to urge people to follow regular guidelines and wash their hands at regular intervals to stay away from the coronavirus.
To mark the day, from 10 am to 12 noon, special handwashing programs were organised in all the districts of the state.
