Every year, Global Handwashing Day (GHD) is celebrated on October 15 around the world to encourage and mobilize people to improve their hand-washing habits. The international hand-washing promotion campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of hand-washing with soap as a key factor in disease prevention. Washing hands with soap is critical and should be practiced in our day-to-day routine. With proper handwashing, respiratory and intestinal diseases can be reduced by 25–50%. The global event aims to foster and support a general culture of handwashing with soap in all societies and communities across the world. Global Handwashing Day Dos & Don'ts: Where You're Going Wrong With Washing Hands Correctly and Why.

The first Global Handwashing Day was celebrated in 2008. In this article, let’s know more about the Global Handwashing Day 2023 date and the significance of the global event.

Global Handwashing Day 2023 Date

Global Handwashing Day (GHD) will be celebrated on Sunday, October 15.

Global Handwashing Day 2023 Theme

According to globalhandwashing.org, the Global Handwashing Day 2023 theme is “Clean hands are within reach.”

Global Handwashing Day History

Global Handwashing Day was celebrated for the first time in 2008. Global Handwashing Day was initiated by the Global Handwashing Partnership (GHP) in August 2008 at the annual World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden. The first Global Handwashing Day took place on October 15, 2008, to promote a global and local vision of handwashing with soap. The date was appointed by the UN General Assembly. Notably, the year 2008 was also the International Year of Sanitation. Since then, the movement has built momentum, garnering support from various stakeholders such as governments, schools, NGOs, and private firms. Check Out 7 Steps to Wash Your Hands Thoroughly and Stay Germ-Free Always!

Global Handwashing Day Significance

Global Handwashing Day is a worldwide event that aims to make people around the world aware of the importance of washing their hands with soap in order to prevent diseases and infections. The day serves as a yearly reminder that handwashing with soap and water is one of the best steps to keep infection at bay. Handwashing with soap and water is simple and inexpensive, and it can significantly reduce the number of diseases. On this day, various events are held across the world to educate people about how handwashing helps them and their communities stay healthy.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2023 07:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).