Oshikoto: Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every child has access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and a healthy learning environment, as the Day of the African Child was commemorated at Onamishu Combined School in the Eengodi Constituency on Tuesday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, speaking on behalf of Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Emma Kantema, Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi emphasized this year's theme, 'Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa,' highlighting the critical role water and sanitation play in protecting children's rights and well-being.
Kantema noted that the theme aligns with the African Union's 2026 agenda on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems. The minister stressed that access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is not merely a service, but a fundamental requirement for health, education, safety, dignity, and human development.
She acknowledged that Namibia continues to face challenges such as recurring droughts, climate pressures, and unequal access to basic services, particularly in rural and informal settlement areas. These conditions leave many children without reliable access to clean water, safe toilets, and proper hygiene facilities, placing their health, education, and dignity at risk.
To address these challenges, the government has adopted the National Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy (2022-2027), which aims to provide 67 percent of the population with sustainable access to basic sanitation and increase safe hygiene practices by 2027. Kantema said the strategy is vital for improving child survival, growth, cognitive development, and educational attainment.
She further highlighted the disproportionate impact of poor sanitation on girls, whose school attendance, privacy, and safety are often compromised. Children with disabilities and those living in remote communities also face significant barriers to accessing inclusive WASH services.
Among the government's interventions, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has procured 40,000 menstrual hygiene packs valued at N.dollars 499,983 for distribution to adolescent girls in schools and communities. Kantema called for greater investment in child-friendly water and sanitation infrastructure, improved hygiene education, gender-responsive facilities in schools, and stronger community involvement. She urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that no child's future is limited by the lack of clean water and safe sanitation.