Opinion Pieces Recognize Global Handwashing Day

The following opinion pieces discuss Global Handwashing Day, recognized on October 15.

Huffington Post: Global Handwashing Day in the Time of Ebola
Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and Myriam Sidibe, global social mission director at Unilever-Lifebuoy

“…On this Global Handwashing Day, let’s commit ourselves to good personal hygiene and to help for all of those around the world who cannot afford it on their own. Ebola has reminded us of the most basic truth: we are all in this together. Epidemics in one place, no matter how poor and remote, can quickly become crises for all. Yet we also know that health for all is within reach, through greater awareness, stepped up help for the poor, and creative public-private partnerships that allow companies, civil society, and governments to each contribute to the end of poverty and preventable disease” (10/15).

Devex: Moving beyond the tippy tap
Hanna Woodburn, deputy secretariat director for the Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing

“…Now is the time to move beyond the tippy tap. As such, on Global Handwashing Day I want to explore both the ways in which innovation is occurring and cast a vision for how this innovation can be spurred going forward. First, the WASH sector must learn from the lessons of our colleagues in other areas of development. … Second, we must consider the spaces where infrastructure isn’t conducive for hand-washing. … Finally, to incentivize innovation, we need to have a better understanding of the current hygiene circumstances in countries where it is most needed. … [I]t is only by moving forward in new ways that we can hope to truly address some of the greatest development challenges of our generation” (10/15).

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