Children from across Africa's regions have called on governments and stakeholders to guarantee every child has access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and good hygiene.

In their outcome statement read by Shekinah Sirri during the 48th Session of African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)  where children highlighted the impact of water insecurity and poor sanitation on education, health, protection and dignity particularly for girls and children in vulnerable situations.

They urged governments to invest in inclusive WASH facilities, strengthen accountability and ensure children actively participate in decisions affecting their rights and well-being.

They called for development of Community Based Child Protection Mechanisms, especially in conflict and humanitarian settings, water and sanitation must be part of protecting children, not an afterthought.

"We ask that governments put Articles 13 and 14 of the African Children’s Charter into practice by funding water, sanitation and hygiene facilities that children with disabilities can safely use in every school and involve them and girls in planning these improvements and report their progress to the Committee," they said.

On the other hand, to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, they proposed to have more children from the five regions participate physically in their ordinary session and activities and listen to their views.
They said the ACEWRC must encourage member states to include WASH reports in their periodic and complimentary reports saying the committee must also identify WASH champions and recognize them during ordinary sessions.
"The committee must translate the charter into more languages for children to understand their rights. We urge the committee to take serious actions against countries violating the rights of children by Monetizing WASH services," they said.

They emphasised that the committee must strengthen accountability mechanisms to ensure children enjoy their rights as stipulated in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

To their fellow children, they urged them to maintain our personal hygiene, to be champions of environmental conservation and maintain their sanitation.

They encouraged them to report violations or challenges they face. They added that they must also have peer to peer learning on WASH and do community sensitization in their communities, schools and child rights clubs.
"Embrace good habits that improve our hygiene and sanitation. Be our brother’s keeper in ensuring we understand our rights," they stressed.

The children's outcome statement stressed that water is not a luxury, toilets are not a privilege and a child's ability to wash their hands should never depend on where they were born.
They emphasised  that WASH is more than water and environmental protection; it is the foundation of health, education, human dignity and a fundamental right.

The 48th Ordinary Session of the ACERWC is being held from October 13 to 20 at the Manthabiseng Convention centre under the theme, "Violence Against Children and Harmful Practices: Navigating the Digital Frontier".