Effective handwashing isn't possible without flowing water. While many water utilities do not consider being in the business of hand hygiene, they are uniquely placed to provide the infrastructure support and water services needed to practice good handwashing behaviors. On Global Handwashing Day, we explored the role of utilities in scaling up water services and supporting hand hygiene campaigns in the Pacific and celebrated the progress achieved in improving hand hygiene across the Pacific Region.

The theme for this year’s Global Handwashing Day was “Clean Hands are Within Reach.” The celebration highlighted the increased commitment and action made in recent years to hand hygiene. It was an opportunity to call for more collective efforts to ensure that hand hygiene remains a priority in the development agenda. Hand hygiene efforts must be tripled to achieve global targets, requiring a focus not only on individual hand hygiene behavior but also on broader efforts and collaboration to create a supportive enabling environment.

This Global Handwashing Day, ADB and PWWA organized a special Webinar Panel Discussion to discuss progress in hand hygiene in the Pacific, and utilities’ role and initiatives. The Panel included Water PNG Ltd. and Solomon Water Authority reflecting on how their businesses support and encourage effective hand hygiene, with UNICEF presenting monitoring and support programs to improve handwashing in the Pacific.