…Launches DAC 2026 Activities

Monrovia, Liberia— As Liberia prepares to join the global community in commemorating the 2026 Day of the African Child (DAC), the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Gbeme Horace-Kollie, has raised serious concerns about the country’s persistent water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) challenges, warning that inadequate services continue to threaten the health, education and overall well-being of Liberian children.

Speaking at a press conference officially launching the 2026 Day of the African Child celebrations, the Minister disclosed that approximately 42 percent of Liberia’s population still practices open defecation, while more than 35 percent of schools and healthcare facilities lack adequate WASH infrastructure.

“Only about 9 percent of rural communities have access to basic sanitation,” she noted. “Nationwide, only 24 percent of the population has access to basic sanitation facilities, with many households relying on shared or unimproved latrines. Basic hygiene practices, including handwashing with soap and water, remain extremely low in both urban and rural communities.”

The troubling statistics underscore a longstanding public health challenge that continues to affect millions of Liberians, particularly children. Poor sanitation and hygiene remain major contributors to waterborne diseases, with diarrhea ranking among the leading causes of death for children under the age of five.

According to the Minister, the lack of access to safe water and sanitation not only places children at risk of disease but also undermines their educational opportunities. Children who are frequently sick or attend schools without adequate sanitation facilities are more likely to miss classes and fall behind academically.

This year’s Day of the African Child will be commemorated globally under the theme, “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa,” while Liberia will observe the day under the national theme, “Advancing Sustainable WASH Financing and Hygiene Education for Every Liberian Child.”

Minister Horace-Kollie said the theme reflects the urgent need for government institutions, development partners, communities, schools, the private sector and families to move beyond commitments and take concrete action toward improving WASH services nationwide.

“Access to safe water, proper sanitation and hygiene is not a privilege; it is a fundamental human right,” she emphasized.

The Minister noted that despite progress made through coordinated interventions, significant challenges remain. Although an estimated 70 to 79 percent of Liberians have access to basic drinking water, less than 10 percent have access to safely managed water and sanitation services.

She stressed that improving WASH services is critical to protecting children from preventable illnesses, improving school attendance and ensuring a healthier future for the nation’s young population.

As part of the 2026 DAC observance, children from all fifteen counties are expected to converge in Voinjama, Lofa County, from June 13 to June 17 for a series of activities, including the National Children’s Representative Elections, community engagements and educational programs focused on WASH awareness.

The National Children’s Representative Elections, scheduled for June 14, will usher in a new leadership team for the Liberia Children’s Representative Forum, including the election of a new Speaker.

The official celebration will culminate on June 16 with a parade through the principal streets of Voinjama followed by a program at the Voinjama City Hall.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to child welfare, the Minister said Liberia will continue advocating for child-responsive budgeting and policies that prioritize investments in child-friendly WASH infrastructure, hygiene education, menstrual health management, climate-resilient systems and inclusive services.

She also expressed appreciation to development partners, including UNICEF, SOS Children’s Villages, Plan International, the Children’s Forum and the Child Protection Network, for their continued support in advancing children’s rights and supporting this year’s observance.

With the launch of the celebrations now officially declared, the Minister called on all stakeholders to work collectively toward ensuring that every Liberian child has access to safe water, proper sanitation and healthy learning environments.

“Let us continue this vital work together,” she said. “It remains an ongoing endeavor,” the Gender Minister indicated.