Journalists for Human Rights together with the Balkan WaSH Network today mark the Global Hands Washing Day (#GlobalHandwashingDay).

The Global Day of Washing is a campaign to motivate and mobilize people around the world to improve hand washing habits. Hand washing at critical moments during the day and soap washing are equally important.

Human rights reporters within their WASH program for safe access to water and sanitation and hygiene work to raise awareness of the importance of access to sanitation with water and soap.

Washing hands with soap and water is one of the most effective and cheapest ways to prevent disease, but access to water and soap for hand washing varies radically around the world:

Only one in four people in poorly developed countries have sanitary facilities with soap and water in the home;

-Only 15% of people in sub-Saharan Africa have sanitation;

– On the other hand, 76% of people in West Asia and North Africa have sanitation.

There is no soap from 70% of the sanitary facilities in the rural areas in Macedonia, and some access to hand washing is limited.

Washing your hands with soap is a light, effective, affordable practice that prevents infection and saves lives.

Washing your hands with soap is easy.

Everyone can protect himself, his family and his community by washing hands with soap. Although it requires little resource-soap and a small amount of water – the benefits are significant.

Washing your hands with soap is effective.

When washing hands with soap is practiced regularly in key periods, such as after using the toilet or before contact with food, can dramatically reduce the risk of diarrhea and pneumonia, which can cause serious illness and death. Washing your hands with soap also helps prevent the spread of other infections, including influenza and Ebola.

Washing your hands with soap is available.

The WHO report conducted in 2017 analyzed the measures for hand washing practices in Multiple Indicators and Demographic and Health Surveys of 51 countries between 2010 and 2013 and found that the differences in the availability of soap are small or do not exist in countries that means that the availability of soap is almost universal. Despite the fact that the poorest households in the world are less likely to have access to soap, the price is not the main obstacle to washing hands with soap.
Most people around the world can afford a piece of multipurpose soap or detergent to make soapy water. Many households that have access to soap often use it for washing, dish washing or bathing instead of washing hands. Handshaking investments are highly effective and can increase health benefits from other interventions – from access to clean water and sanitation to promoting nutrition.