Submitted on behalf of the Clean, Fed and Nurtured Coalition. Jointly written by Kristie Urich and Peter Hynes from World Vision; and Julia Rosenbaum, FHI 360

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a gauntlet for practitioners. Data emerging from the Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) about performance against the SDGs show that access to basic hygiene facilities is low across all developing countries. Not only is access to proper infrastructure a problem, but handwashing behaviour is not guaranteed even when infrastructure is available. Indeed, the practice of handwashing with soap is extremely low in all countries, with only about 19 per cent of us washing our hands with soap after contact with excreta. That’s less than two out of […]

Handwashing with soap is a critical habit for good health, but the benefits go far beyond disease prevention. UNICEF Pacific along with the Fiji Ministry of Health celebrated Global Handwashing Day at the Vuci Methodist Primary School. This event highlighted the importance of handwashing in building healthy, productive futures.

Rosy Akbar, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, launched the day with activities to promote healthy living. She emphasized the need for students to practice handwashing at key times, stating “Handwashing with soap is practiced regularly at key times, after using the toilet, before you prepare and eat food, after being outside in the garden, or handling rubbish and animals.”

The day was filled with interactive activities, including a handwashing dance competition and quizzes. This […]

How do you make sure one day of symbolic action, media attention and advocacy – notwithstanding their importance – translates into sustainable behaviour change? This is why Global Handwashing Day (GHD) on the 15th October is not just ‘another global day’ for United Purpose. Each year, we embark on a month-long media and activity-based campaign to advocate for and raise awareness on handwashing with soap. The relative lack of attention in both development and media circles on handwashing with soap is why we need days such as GHD, as they remind us how simple and cheap the solution to serious hygiene-related diseases can be. The day can also be used creatively to launch an outreach campaign or to celebrate behaviour change achievements.

By bringing […]

‘Clean hands – a recipe for health’ was the theme of this year’s Global Handwashing Day. By all accounts, it was also a recipe for success.

With a focus on fun, members of the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) engaged children in many countries around the world in creative ways to help spread the word. From Nigeria to Sierra Leone, children created art works, sang songs and participated in all manner of activities to demonstrate the connection between clean hands and good health, especially important when it comes to handling food.