Child
activists across the country have shown their appreciation of President Yahya
Jammeh’s declaration banning child marriage in The Gambia.
The
Gambian leader on 6 July 2016 at State House announced the banning of child
marriage and forced marriage in the country.
He
said a law to that effect will be enacted by the National Assembly, latest 21
July 2016.
“As
from today, child marriage under 18 years is illegal in The Gambia,” President
Jammeh declared.
“The
Ministry of Interior should work with the Ministry of Local Government, and the
Ministry of Information should disseminate the information before 22 July.”
Jammeh
stated further that the law will come with penalties, against parents, husbands
of victims and fathers who will be jailed for 20 and 21 years; and religious
leaders who preside over the marriage will face the consequences.
“Those
that force their daughters to get married to husbands not their choice will be
jailed for 10 years.”
He
said child marriage exposes victims who are under 18 to numerous diseases that
affect their health condition.
He,
therefore, proposed a 20-year sentence for culprits.
This
declaration by the President has been highly welcomed by many people across the
country, especially child protection activists.
Speaking
to The Point at the weekend, Lisa Camara, the Guardian Global End FGM Campaign
Media Coordinator, said the announcement was not a surprise to her, as during a
recent function of first ladies, the Gambian First Lady promised to do
everything in her power to protect Gambian children.
“Listening
to all those testimonies of victims of child marriage plus watching the videos
of the caravan,” Lisa explained, “it was obvious as the mother to all Gambian
children, Her Excellency the First Lady would continue the fight, and the
President’s declaration banning child marriage is a perfect example of that
promise.”
She
said further: “To the campaigners, this is not the end of the road; the
announcement means we have a lot more work to do as we owe it to the people to
educate them about the dangers associated with child marriage. Let us come
together in creating a safe Gambia for our children who are the future of our
nation.”
Lamin
K. Saidy of Child Protection Alliance and the National Coordinator of Safe
Hands for Girls, in his remarks, said banning child marriage is welcomed news
to child protection actors.
“Child
marriage compromises all the other rights of children such as education and
health, he said, adding that it exposes the child to dependency as a result of
lack of education and skills.”
Despite
the pronouncement, he added, they want the process of the bill drafting to be
expedited.
The
state and NGOs should ensure their structures engage the communities on the
issue of forced marriage, he added.
“I
think men who are accepting such wives are automatically committing suicide.”
President
Jammeh in his pronouncement banning forced and child marriage in The Gambia,
said no individual will be given the leverage to seek external support for the
implementation of the laws and penalties for child marriage culprits.
The
President also called on regional governors, chiefs and the police to report
suspected cases of forced and child marriage, adding that any attempt to hide
information and the commissioning of such crimes “will cost the suspects
dearly”.