About Global Handwashing Day
The day is dedicated to increasing awareness about hygiene. The day is to make people understand the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
Global Handwashing Day is a campaign to motivate and mobilize millions around the world to wash their hands with soap. The campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of handwashing with soap as a key approach to disease prevention. It was invented at the annual World Water Week 2008, which was held in Stockholm from August 17 to 23 and initiated the Public Private Partnership for Handwashing (PPPHW).
Global Handwashing Day took place for the first time on October 15, 2008, the date appointed by UN General Assembly in accordance with year 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation. The theme for Global Handwashing Day's inaugural year was Focus on School Children. The members pledged to get the maximum number of school children handwashing with soap in more than 70 countries.
Ever since its inception, the importance of the day has gained strength. Schools, international institutions, and governments are doing their bit to stress the importance of the day and the habit of washing hands with soap.
The tradition goes on today to help children around the world prevent infection and the spread of disease by learning to wash their hands.
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