Global Handwashing Day, established by the Global Handwashing Partnership in 2008, is observed annually on Oct. 15.

The purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of handwashing with soap for children’s health and to encourage lasting improvements in hand hygiene everywhere. Effective handwashing is a low-cost, high-reward habit that keeps children healthy and prevents the spread of dangerous diseases. But not all children in the world have regular access to safe water, soap and appropriate hygiene facilities to maintain the practice. UNICEF works to improve hand hygiene for children in homes, schools, health facilities and humanitarian settings around the world. The theme of the Global Handwashing Day 2026 campaign is to encourage people to “Be a Handwashing Hero” by building their own handwashing habits and leading efforts in workplaces, schools and communities to champion clean hands for all.

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Global Handwashing Day