The
Institute for the Advancement of Children’s Rights welcomes the recent
pronouncement of the President of the Republic of the Gambia banning child and
forced marriage in the Gambia. This is a fundamental stride by the Government
of the Gambia in the quest to ensure timely and effective protection and
promotion of the rights of the child.
IACR
is pleased to have actively contributed to the legal debate and advocacy on the
need to improve and strengthen the legal framework for combatting child and
forced marriage, through sensitization of community and opinion leaders and
through legal research on relevant international standards and best practices.
It
is now imperative that detailed and comprehensive legislation is passed to give
full effect to the decision to ban child and forced marriage. This process will
require thorough and full consultation with relevant stakeholders to ensure that
the new law is in full compliance and harmony with international standards and
best practices.
