The Month in Lights
NATIONAL HANDWASHING WEEK – The first week each December focuses on the importance of handwashing for our health. The simple act of washing one’s hands is the first line of defense against germs and a key step in prevention of the coronavirus pandemic, among many other illnesses. The five steps to washing hands are: wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry. Health officials recommend that you wash hands for at least twenty seconds. TIP sing the song “Happy Birthday.”
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISABLED PERSONS. December 3rd. This annual observance was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly. Today, more than one billion people — approximately 15 percent of the world’s population — live with some form of disability. Disability inclusion is an essential condition to upholding human rights, sustainable development, and peace and security. It is also central to the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind. The global crisis of COVID-19 is deepening pre-existing inequalities and exposing the extent of exclusion. Highlighting the work on disability inclusion is imperative. People with disabilities are one of the most excluded groups in our society and are among the hardest hit in this crisis in terms of fatalities. An integrated approach is required to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind.
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY. Observed every year on December 10th, Human Rights Day marks the day in 1948 that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to annually observe December 10 as Human Rights Day.
This year’s Human Rights Day theme is “Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights.” The UN theme relates to the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on the need to build back better by ensuring Human Rights are central to recovery efforts. Under the call to action “Stand Up for Human rights”, the UN aims to engage the general public, their partners and the UN family to bolster transformative action and showcase practical and inspirational examples that can contribute to recovering better and fostering more resilient and just societies.
The final month closes out a pandemic-stricken year with renewed hope. December lights continue to shine bright on so many important issues. At the forefront is our quest to crush the pandemic plaguing the world and our hope that a vaccine proves to answer the call. We wish you a safe, happy and joyous month. Stay safe, healthy and strong. – Forever Socially Sparked. Tweet us @sosparkednews.