Maseru to Host High-Level Side Event on Advancing WASH Through Child Rights Frameworks in Africa
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maseru, Lesotho – 20 April 2026 – A high-level side event will convene African policymakers and partners during the 47th Ordinary Session of the ACERWC in Maseru to call for urgent, increased investment and accountability in child-centred WASH services across the continent.
The event, titled “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa: Advancing WASH through the Principles of Child Rights,” will take place from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM and will bring together policymakers, development partners, civil society organizations, and child advocates to advance dialogue and action on equitable access to WASH services.
Access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene behaviour remains a major development and human rights challenge across the continent. Despite progress, only about half of Africa’s population has access to clean water, while just 45% have access to basic sanitation and hygiene services. Millions—particularly children—continue to face the consequences of inadequate WASH services, including preventable diseases such as diarrhoea which threaten their survival, development, and well-being.
The event will emphasize that WASH is not only a development priority but a fundamental human right, essential to achieving children’s rights to survival, protection, development, and participation as outlined in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC).
The gathering comes at a critical time, as the African Union has declared 2026 as the Year of “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” This theme reinforces the urgency of addressing WASH challenges as part of Africa’s long-term development vision.
As a key partner, World Vision is scaling up its WASH programming under its 2026–2030 Business Plan, targeting 14.5 million people across 26 African countries with sustainable access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene services in communities, schools, and health facilities.. Through initiatives such as the ENOUGH Campaign, World Vision is amplifying the voices of children and communities, advocating for integrated solutions to hunger, health, and water insecurity.
The side event will serve as a platform to:
- Demonstrate the link between WASH and children’s rights
- Prioritize policy and system gaps requiring urgent action
- Advocate for increased domestic financing and political commitment
- Advance meaningful child participation in WASH governance
- Showcase scalable, climate-resilient WASH solutions
- Strengthen cross-sector partnerships for impact
Participants will include ACERWC members, government officials, civil society organizations, UN agencies, development partners, and youth representatives.
The event will call on African governments, development partners, and financing institutions to increase domestic and external financing for WASH, integrate child rights into national WASH policies, and strengthen accountability mechanisms to ensure no child is left behind
Placing children at the centre of WASH policies and investments is not optional—it is essential. Without accelerated action, millions of children will continue to face preventable disease and lost potential. This event aims to catalyse the leadership and investment needed to ensure every child in Africa can grow, learn, and thrive in dignity and health
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Sam Norgah
Director, World Vision AU Liaison Office
Email: samuel_norgah@wvi.org
Reentseng Phephetho
Communications Officer, World Vision Lesotho
Email: reentseng_phephetho@wvi.org