A Call to Action on the Pitch
As the continent gears up for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, a growing chorus of African women footballers is turning the spotlight on a different kind of victory: the eradication of polio.
The Kick Out Polio initiative, launched by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative together with a coalition of football stars, aims to shield every child from polio and other vaccine‑preventable illnesses.
Recent data show a 50 % drop in detections of the variant poliovirus across the African region in the first half of 2026, yet the progress is fragile.
Conflict, displacement, misinformation and gaps in health‑service reach continue to threaten gains, allowing the virus to cross borders and find new hosts.
Women are at the front line of vaccination drives, using their platforms to build trust, navigate remote communities and persuade families to allow their children to be immunised.
Olayinka Babalola, President of Rotary International, has voiced strong support, stating that the campaign must be sustained with leadership and resources to reach every child.
Ramou Ndure, Deputy Regional Director of UNICEF for West and Central Africa, echoes the sentiment, urging the people of Africa to champion the cause and keep the momentum alive.
Dr. Marie Belizaire, WHO Regional Emergency Director for Africa, adds that finishing polio is an investment in the health of an entire generation, while health content creator Ayodele Renner calls on citizens to share accurate facts.
Smarty, UNICEF National Ambassador, believes music and football can mobilise millions, and youth advocate Noella Djouku Nguetchuissi stresses that investing in children today secures a healthier Africa tomorrow.
Oeurdice Mukeba Mwe Tshiama, a polio survivor, reminds leaders that every child deserves the chance to grow, choose a future and thrive.
Looking Forward
The collective message is clear: sustained political will, adequate financing and community engagement are essential to close the final gaps and consign polio to history.