Women football stars from several African countries have joined the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s “Kick Out Polio” campaign ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The initiative calls on governments, communities, and families to strengthen childhood vaccination efforts while supporting continued progress toward eliminating polio across Africa.
Key Takeaways
- Women football stars are participating in the “Kick Out Polio” campaign before WAFCON begins.
- The campaign encourages governments and communities to maintain support for childhood immunization.
- The World Health Organization reported a 50% decline in variant poliovirus detections during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
- Youth advocates and international health partners are supporting the campaign.
- The initiative recognizes women’s contributions to vaccination efforts in communities across Africa.
African women footballers have joined the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s “Kick Out Polio” campaign ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, calling on governments, communities, and families to strengthen vaccination efforts that protect children from polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The campaign brings together athletes, youth advocates, and global health organizations to encourage continued commitment to immunization across the continent.
The campaign was introduced before the start of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as part of a coordinated effort to raise awareness about vaccination. Organizers said the tournament provides an opportunity to reach audiences across Africa while reinforcing messages about protecting children through routine immunization.
Women Football Stars Join the Kick Out Polio Campaign
The Women football stars participating in the campaign represent several African countries and are using their public platforms to support vaccination awareness. The initiative was launched by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in partnership with women footballers, youth advocates, and influential public figures.
Athletes Participating in the Initiative
The campaign includes footballers from Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Nigeria. Participating players include Érika Gnounoué, Inès Konan, Mariam Diakité, Rebecca Elloh, Mariam Diawara, Ajara Nchout Njoya, Gabrielle Aboudi Onguené, Ange Gabrielle Bawou, Doudou Ousmanou, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Francisca Ordega.
Campaign organizers said the athletes are encouraging governments, development partners, civil society organizations, and families to continue supporting vaccination programs that protect children from preventable diseases. Members of Generation Zero Polio, a network of youth advocates from West and Central Africa, are also participating through an open letter addressed to African leaders.
Campaign Objectives Ahead of WAFCON
The campaign aims to maintain public attention on childhood immunization while the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations attracts audiences from across the continent. Organizers stated that sustained political commitment, investment, and community participation remain essential to reaching children who have not yet received vaccines.
The initiative also encourages individuals to promote accurate information about vaccination and support local immunization activities within their communities. These efforts align with broader conversations around women’s health initiatives that emphasize improving health outcomes through coordinated action and public awareness.
WAFCON Platform Expands Public Health Awareness
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations provides a regional stage for health organizations to share public health messages alongside one of Africa’s largest women’s sporting events. Campaign organizers are using the tournament to encourage discussions about routine vaccination and disease prevention.
The “Kick Out Polio” campaign was first introduced ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in December 2025. The current edition expands the initiative by placing women athletes at the center of public engagement activities connected to immunization.
Officials involved in the campaign said football has the ability to reach broad audiences and encourage conversations that extend beyond the sport itself. By partnering with players who are recognized across multiple countries, organizers hope to increase awareness about the importance of protecting every child through vaccination. The leadership shown by the athletes also reflects themes explored in sports mentorship for women leaders.
The campaign also includes participation from musicians, health professionals, youth representatives, and community advocates who are supporting outreach activities during the tournament period.
Vaccination Progress Continues Across the African Region
Latest WHO Polio Data
According to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, the African Region recorded a 50% reduction in detections of all types of variant poliovirus during the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Health officials said the progress reflects continued efforts by governments and international partners working to strengthen immunization programs and respond to outbreaks.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative identified national governments alongside organizations including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Gates Foundation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other international partners as contributors to ongoing eradication activities.
Remaining Public Health Challenges
Despite recent progress, health authorities reported that several obstacles continue to affect vaccination coverage in parts of Africa.
Conflict, population displacement, operational challenges, misinformation, disease outbreaks, declining resources, and limited access to essential health services continue to leave some children unvaccinated. Officials said immunity gaps remain in several countries, increasing the risk of continued poliovirus transmission.
The World Health Organization stated that poliovirus can spread rapidly across communities and national borders when vaccination coverage is incomplete. Reaching every eligible child remains a central objective of eradication efforts.
Women Lead Community Immunization Efforts
Health organizations involved in the campaign said women play an important role in vaccination programs throughout Africa.
Women serve on vaccination teams, engage directly with families, answer questions about immunization, and help health workers reach children living in remote, underserved, and crisis-affected communities.
Campaign organizers said these responsibilities place women at the center of efforts to improve vaccine confidence and expand access to essential health services. Supporting both physical and emotional well-being is also a recurring theme in discussions about mental health in women’s sports.
The initiative also recognizes women athletes as community ambassadors who can help communicate accurate health information through trusted public platforms.
By combining sports with public health messaging, organizers aim to strengthen community engagement while supporting existing immunization activities across participating countries.
Campaign Partners Sustain Polio Eradication Goals
Organizations Supporting the Initiative
The “Kick Out Polio” campaign is led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Rotary International, and other organizations supporting global polio eradication.
Additional support has been provided by governments and development partners contributing resources for vaccination activities across the African Region.
Officials said continued collaboration between governments, international organizations, healthcare workers, community leaders, and volunteers remains necessary to sustain vaccination programs and respond to outbreaks where they occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kick Out Polio campaign?
The Kick Out Polio campaign is a public awareness initiative led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative that encourages governments, communities, and families to support childhood vaccination and polio eradication efforts across Africa.
Which women football stars are participating in the campaign?
The campaign includes players from Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Nigeria, including Érika Gnounoué, Inès Konan, Mariam Diakité, Rebecca Elloh, Mariam Diawara, Ajara Nchout Njoya, Gabrielle Aboudi Onguené, Ange Gabrielle Bawou, Doudou Ousmanou, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Francisca Ordega.
Why was the campaign launched before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations?
Organizers launched the campaign ahead of the tournament to use the event’s regional audience to promote childhood vaccination and encourage continued support for immunization programs.
What progress has Africa made toward polio eradication?
The World Health Organization reported a 50% reduction in detections of all types of variant poliovirus during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, while noting that vaccination challenges remain in some areas.
Which organizations support the Kick Out Polio campaign?
The campaign is led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative with participation from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Rotary International, national governments, youth advocates, and other international partners working to eliminate polio.
