Women football stars team up to kick polio out of Africa

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Just days before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off, African women footballers are calling on leaders across the continent to renew their political commitment, sustain investment and take collective action to protect every child from polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Launched by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in partnership with African women football stars, influential personalities and youth advocates, the “Kick Out Polio” campaign is rallying families, government leaders, young people, and community and civil society leaders throughout the tournament.

Women football stars from several African countries are calling on are calling on governments, partners, communities and families to safeguard hard-won gains and ensure that no child is left unvaccinated. Members of Generation Zero Polio, a network of young advocates from West and Central Africa, are supporting this call to action through an open letter to African leaders that will be released in the coming days.

The African Region has made significant progress towards the eradication of poliomyelitis, thanks to the leadership of governments and support from committed partners like KSrelief, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, Canada, Rotary International, the United Arab Emirates and Germany. There was a 50 % reduction in detections of all types of variant poliovirus (types 1, 2 and 3) reported during the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. 

However, challenges remain. Conflict, displacement, operational challenges, misinformation, other diseases, outbreaks, operational challenges, limited access to essential health services and declining resources continue to threaten progress. As a result, many children in countries experiencing polio outbreaks remain unvaccinated, while significant immunity gaps persist among children in other countries.

Poliovirus spreads rapidly within and across borders. A single case can put children in communities and countries far beyond the initial outbreak at risk, particularly where vaccination coverage is low. Reaching every child, wherever they live, is therefore essential to stopping transmission and sustaining Africa’s progress.

Women are central to this effort. They lead vaccination teams, build trust with families, address concerns and help health services reach children in remote, underserved and crisis-affected communities. 

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations offers a powerful opportunity to turn attention into action. The “Kick Out Polio” campaign calls on governments, partners and communities to sustain the leadership, resources and trust needed to reach every child and kick polio out of Africa.

Quotes:

• Olayinka Babalola, Rotary International President: "Every girl deserves the opportunity to play, lead, and thrive on and off the field. Rotary is proud to be a part of the Kick Out Polio campaign to make that opportunity real.”
• Ramou Ndure, UNICEF West and Central Africa Deputy Regional Director: “Governments and institutions alone cannot end polio. It will be the people of Africa who finish the job. That is the spirit of the Kick Out Polio campaign.”
• Dr. Marie Belizaire, WHO African Region Regional Emergency Director: “Finishing polio is not simply about ending one disease. It is an investment in the health, potential and future of an entire generation.”
• Dr. Ayodele Renner, Health Content Creator: “Whether you're a doctor, athlete, musician, influencer or football fan, you can help protect children by sharing facts, encouraging vaccination and supporting Kick Out Polio.”
• Smarty, UNICEF National Ambassador: “Music and football have the power to bring us together. Today, let us use that same power to mobilize, protect every child and kick polio out of Africa.”
• Noella Djouku Nguetchuissi, Youth Advocate: “Africa’s future starts with its children. If we want a healthier Africa tomorrow, we must invest in them today, make vaccination a priority and finish the fight against polio.”
• Oeurdice Mukeba Mwe Tshiama, polio survivor: “No child should have to live with a disease that can be prevented. Let us give every child the chance to grow, to dream, and to choose their own future.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.