THARPARKAR: Global Handwashing Day is observed around the world every year on October 15, yet most people are still either unaware of the need to wash their hands with soap at critical times or knowingly fail to do so. The day aims to make the simple, life-saving practice of handwashing a regular habit. Since the day was launched in 2008, handwashing with soap has been a central concern of the international hygiene agenda, and every year since, Global Handwashing Day has reinforced the call for better hygiene practices worldwide.
Highlighting the importance of handwashing, Sukaar Foundation and WaterAid Pakistan have launched a campaign in schools across the Tharparkar desert. The campaign urges students to make a habit of washing their hands before eating to protect themselves from infectious diseases. Activities are being held in playgrounds, classrooms, community spaces and public places to promote handwashing with soap and bring about behaviour change among children on a massive scale.
Sukaar Foundation and UNICEF recently conducted a knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey in Tharparkar district to assess its water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) status. The findings show that around 88 per cent of surveyed households and more than 90 per cent of schools lack access to toilets, and around 90 per cent of the population practises open defecation. Similarly, more than 90 per cent of people lack access to safe drinking water. The few dug wells available mostly provide water that is chemically or bacteriologically contaminated, which adds to the health hazards caused by open defecation in the area.
Children and teachers from schools across Tharparkar district held rallies and delivered speeches to drive home the message that the simple act of washing hands with soap could save hundreds of thousands of children from illness.
“Behavioural research from several developing countries shows that people are often motivated to wash their hands with soap by factors other than health, such as disgust, a wish to be seen as a good parent, to appear attractive, or to protect and nurture their children,” said Madan Mehrani.
Social activist Roshan Ara said that, “Most schools in Tharparkar don’t have improved sanitation facilities, which is a major reason why girls drop out. All stakeholders should make joint efforts to scale up the sanitation drive across Tharparkar district urgently, to protect its people from fatal health hazards.”
Dr Bharat Bhagwani, who works with the WHO, said that, “Fulfilling every child’s right to water, sanitation and hygiene education remains a major challenge for policymakers, schools and administrators.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that diarrhoea and respiratory infections are responsible for two-thirds of child deaths.
“Handwashing with soap interrupts the transmission of disease agents and so can significantly reduce diarrhoea and respiratory infections, as well as skin infections and trachoma,” said Dr Bhagwani.
School teacher Rano Kessani said that, “Celebrating Handwashing Week with children will create awareness about the importance of the subject. Children play the role of change agents in every society.” He added water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools can have a positive impact on enrolment and on the ratio of girls to boys attending school. By encouraging behaviour change with the participation of children, the burden of disease can be lifted.
Students of Earth Stars Academy also marked Global Handwashing Day in Islamkot, where scores of children took part.
Highlighting the importance of the day, students Sandeep Joshi, Aftab Ali, Muskan and Anchal said that, “Handwashing works like a vaccine. Proper handwashing with soap at critical times will protect us from several diseases. Children are role models, and what they learn at school they will pass on to their peers.”