Background and justification: 

This theme is firmly grounded in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). It captures the nexus between the access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and the realization and effective enjoyment of all child rights enshrined in the Charter, which is provided for expressly in Article 14 (Health and Health Services), which obliges States Parties:

(c) to ensure the provision of adequate nutrition and safe drinking water, and access to hygiene and sanitation services;

(h) to ensure that all sectors of society are informed and supported in basic child health and nutrition, hygiene and environmental sanitation,..

Continental alignment:

The proposed theme is further fully aligned with the African Union’s theme 2026  on “assuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063,” and advances the Agenda 2040 vision for “An Africa Fit for Children” especially Aspiration 5 “Every child grows up well-nourished and with access to the basic necessities of life”, which targets universal access to sources of clean and safe drinking water, hygienic sanitation and hygiene facilities, adequate nutrition, and shelter or basic housing by 2040. It also supports Agenda 2063, Aspiration 1 “A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development” : Goal 1 “a high standard of living and well-being for all: tackling poverty and inequality; improving habitats; and expanding access to essential services water, sanitation, electricity and social protection.”