Global Handwashing Day

Global Handwashing Day, on 15 October 2020, aims to increase awareness and understanding regarding the importance of handwashing with soap, as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has acted as a reminder that one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of viruses is simple hand hygiene, especially handwashing with soap. The learnings from the past year have emphasised the need for collective action to address the historic neglect of hand hygiene investments, policies, and programmes. 

The theme for Global Handwashing Day 2021 is ‘Our future is at hand – let’s move forward together’, and calls for coordinated action to actively work toward universal hand hygiene.