ChildFund-The
Gambia, in partnership with its local partners including the West Coast Region
Governor’s Office and other development partners Friday commemorated the Day of
the African Child at Brikama Box Bar in the West Coast Region on the theme:
“The role of children in peace building”.
The
day has been commemorated on 16 June every year since 1991, when it was first
instituted by the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union.
The
commemoration provides opportunities for state parties, government bodies, NGOs
and other stakeholders to give further support to the campaign and raise the
awareness level of all stakeholders about the consequences and positive effects
of ending conflicts and crisis against children in Africa.
Speaking
at the venue, Fanta Bai Secka, Director of Department of Social Welfare,
expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to Childfund The Gambia office for
their partnership and support to the government of The Gambia through the
department of Social Welfare.
“We
are grateful of your collaboration, mutual respect and understanding of the
challenges on the issues of children in the country and your willingness to
partner with The Gambia government to address the issues,” she said.
The
commemoration of the Day of the African Child on 16 June annually is in memory
of the 1976 pupils uprising in Soweto, to remember these children, to celebrate
children in Africa as well as to inspire a sober reflection and action towards
addressing the huge challenges that children in Africa face on a daily basis
and children in The Gambia are no exception.
According
to her, accelerating protection, empowerment and equal opportunities for
children in The Gambia could not be achieved without nurturing the culture of
peace.
In
delivering a speech, the WCR governor, Ebrima Mballow, said the day was
honoured to remember the young people of South Africa who were massacred in
Soweto in 1976 for protesting against apartheid system of education.
He
said it was part of global efforts to elevate child protection agenda in
conflict situations as well guarantee the protection and preservation of the
life and wellbeing of the children.
“These
children are our hope; they are our insurance as well as the country most
valuable assets,” he said.
He called on all parents and concerned
authorities to take note and show love, care, protection and support to all
children because they are future.
He
further reminded the gathering that the African Charter on the Right and
Welfare of the Child is a convention that was ratified some decades ago to
ensure that all children are protected at all times.
He
thanked ChildFund-The Gambia, UNICEF and all other partners for their overwhelming
support in making the day a success.
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