Globally, 3 in 10 people – or 2.3 billion people– do not have access to basic handwashing facilities with water and soap at home, including 670 million people without access to any facility at all. In the least developed countries, more than 6 in 10 people lack basic hand hygiene facilities at home. Keeping hands clean can prevent 1 in 3 diarrheal illnesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as the common cold or flu.
Global Handwashing Day is a yearly reminder that handwashing with soap and water is one of the best steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading disease to others. Global Handwashing Day 2023 is themed “Clean hands are within reach”. The full campaign says “Through strong leadership and collective efforts, we can close gaps in access and practice to achieve hand hygiene for all. Everyone has a role to play to ensure clean hands are within reach.”