Introduction – Global Handwashing Day is observed on October 15 annually for motivating people to improve their handwashing habits all around the world. It is a worldwide event is dedicated for spreading awareness of handwashing with soap as an important factor in the prevention of diseases that can be lowered by 25 to 50 percent. Before taking lunch or dinner, we should wash our hands daily to lower the risk of viral diseases and maintain cleanliness.  The main purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the importance of hygiene.

During the Covid-19 Pandemic, handwashing is a very important habit to lower the risk of spreading coronavirus among people. We should wash our hands for at least 20 minutes to lower the risk of several viral diseases including coronavirus. After the toilet, we should wash our hands with soap. As we know, the spread of the virus through touching contaminated surfaces that could be anything and everything. Thus, we should sanitize our hands, wearing masks, and wash our hands for at least 20 minutes with soap to prevent the spreading of covid -19. Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to decrease the spread of infectious viral diseases including the coronavirus by 36 percent. The habit of handwashing lowers the risk of spreading of viral diseases including the corona virus among people that is a great benefit.

Theme – The theme of Global Handwashing Day in the year 2021 is ‘’Our Future is at Hand-Let’s Move Forward Together’’. The theme of this day highlights collective efforts for working towards hand cleanliness worldwide.

History – Firstly, Global Handwashing Day was observed in the year 2008 by the handwashing partnership in Stockholm Sweden. In the same year, it was also celebrated as the global sanitation year. After that, the United Nations declared that Global Handwashing Day was celebrated on October 15 once a year. There are about 120 million children from several 73 countries who celebrated this day by washing their hands with water and soap during the first global handwashing day.

Significance – Global Handwashing is celebrated every year on October 15 to promote the habit of handwashing all around the world. As per a report, bacteria and germs are responsible for 1 in 5 respiratory cases such as cold or flu and 1 in 3 diarrhea cases. If you regularly wash your hands then it may lower the risk of respiratory diseases by 16 to 20 percent, diarrhea cases by 24 to 40 percent, and gastrointestinal diseases in children by 29 to 57 percent. Thus, you should wash your hands during cooking food, after using the toilet, after sneezing or coughing, and before having a meal.