Day of the African Child 2026 - Removing barriers to learning

In rural communities across Africa, challenges like lack of access to safe water supplies, lack of private, sanitary toilet blocks, and poverty make it harder, especially for girls dealing with menstrual cycles, to stay healthy, attend school consistently and pursue their ambitions.

When girls have access to these essential facilities and their basic needs are met, they are more likely to participate fully in education and dream bigger for their futures.

Across rural Africa, time spent collecting drinking water, poor sanitation, and unpaid care responsibilities are among the multiple obstacles that continue to affect girls’ ability to attend and thrive in school.

Holistic support systems — including mentoring, community support, financial assistance for school essentials, nutritious meals, safe sanitation facilities and reliable access to clean water — work together to ensure girls can stay healthy, safe and able to learn.

In Chinsali, Zambia, students, educators and community leaders reflect on how collective action and holistic support systems are helping create safer, more supportive learning environments, including through improved hygiene and sanitation facilities such as toilet blocks, recently installed by CAMFED in partnership with the government.

Educated young women advocating on the global stage

With support from their CAMFED community students like Peggy become leaders like Kumboso, joining forces in the CAMFED Association to bring their lived experience and expertise to decision making tables at every level.