BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE (INTERN)
MBABANE – For many children across Eswatini, turning on a tap, washing hands with soap, or using a safe toilet may seem like ordinary daily activities. Yet for some vulnerable children, these basic necessities remain out of reach.
As the country marked the Day of the African Child, attention turned to the critical role that water, sanitation, and hygiene play in shaping children’s lives and futures.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, access to clean water and proper sanitation is not a luxury but a fundamental right that every child deserves. She said government remains committed to ensuring that children grow up in environments that promote health, dignity, and safety.
The significance of this commitment can already be seen in communities where government interventions have transformed lives. Since 2024, at least 300 houses have been built for vulnerable families and child headed households under the Decent Shelter Programme. Each house includes a proper toilet and a 500 litre water tank.
For children who previously lived without reliable access to clean water, these improvements have reduced health risks and created safer living conditions.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. While 80 percent of the population has access to basic water services, sanitation gaps continue to affect many communities, particularly in rural areas. Open defecation and poor handwashing practices still expose children to preventable diseases.
Children under the age of five remain especially vulnerable to waterborne illnesses, while children living with disabilities often face additional challenges due to inadequate sanitation facilities.
Dladla called on communities, parents, traditional leaders, development partners, and the private sector to work together to close these gaps. She stressed that achieving universal access to water and sanitation requires collective action and sustained investment.
She also delivered a special message to children across the Kingdom, assuring them that government sees them, hears them, and remains committed to their welfare.
Her message was simple but powerful: every child deserves clean water, safe sanitation, and the dignity that comes with living in a healthy environment.
For many children, that promise represents hope for a brighter and healthier future.
#WaterForEveryChild #WASH #ChildWelfare #EswatiniPositiveNews
