Global Hand-Washing Day 2014

Since 2008, Global Hand-Washing Day (GHD) has taken place every October 15. The campaign aims to mobilize and motivate millions around the world to wash their hands with soap.

Dedicated to raising awareness of hand-washing with soap as the key approach to preventing diseases, GHD serves as a reminder about the importance of good hygiene, especially living in times of horrific epidemics like Ebola.

In many parts of the globe, awareness on hygiene is still poor and lacking. The benefits of this simple habit are yet to be fully appreciated and understood.

Realising this, Unilever, a multi-national consumer goods company care products, decided to work with governments, health agencies and non-profit groups around the world to promote the right way to wash hands and at the right time.

At a global level, Unilever via its health soap brand, Lifebuoy has placed hand-washing policy firmly on the international development policy agenda of the UN through a programme of events at the UN General Assembly. A global multimedia communications campaign consisting of hand-washing messages conveyed through channels such as television, newspapers, radio, Facebook and Twitter is making the rounds everywhere.

And back home, efforts are being targeted towards leading young Malaysians to a better and healthier environment by instilling good habits from a tender age.

And in conjunction with GHD in Malaysia, Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Pantai in Kuala Lumpur, saw representatives from the Health and Education Ministries in attendance to officiate the school's programme.

As part of the programme, day cards were distributed among the students so that they can start keeping track of their hand-washing habits (five times a day for a period of 21 days). After the 21 days, the school with the highest number of hand-washing will receive a month’s supply of Lifebuoy products.

“Teaching children about good hygiene at the school level allows them to easily absorb these habits and continue to practice the same habits at home and through their adult life” says Abdul Jabar Ahmad, director of health education at the Ministry of Health. “Improved hygiene is essential to the public mission of reducing the transmission and spread of germs and bacteria. Today, Lifebuoy has taken a step forward in helping the country progress forward in this area by working with the two most influential figures in a child’s growing life – teachers and mothers.”

25 schools around the country celebrated Global Hand-Washing Day 2015.