By: Momodou Gajiko
ActionAid International, The Gambia, has issued a strong call for urgent action to ensure every child in the country has access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, as the nation marked the Day of the African Child on Saturday.
Speaking at the commemoration held in Janjanbureh, Central River Region, ActionAid’s Executive Director, Mrs. Ndella Faye Colley, described access to clean water and proper sanitation as a fundamental human right rather than a privilege. She highlighted the persistent struggles faced by children, particularly those living in poverty and children with disabilities, in accessing basic WASH facilities.
The event, organized in partnership with the National Human Rights Commission, was held under the theme: “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa.”
Mrs. Colley warned that inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure continues to expose children to preventable diseases, increases school absenteeism, and heightens their vulnerability. She noted that girls are disproportionately affected due to the absence of menstrual hygiene management facilities in many schools.
“We must listen to children and take their voices seriously in shaping policies and programmes that affect their lives,” she said, encouraging young participants to openly share their experiences and recommendations.
Colley further challenged government officials and stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and implement concrete measures through effective planning, budgeting, and service delivery.
ActionAid reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with government institutions, communities, schools, and development partners to advance children’s rights and promote inclusive development nationwide.
The Day of the African Child is observed annually across the continent to commemorate the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa, where students protested for better education and rights, and to renew commitments to protecting and empowering African children.
The commemoration in The Gambia served as a platform to spotlight the intersection between children’s rights and access to basic services, urging accelerated efforts to bridge existing gaps in WASH infrastructure.
