ChildFund
The Gambia in partnership with six local partners on Tuesday belatedly
commemorated the 23rd Day of the African Child on the theme ‘Conflict and
Crises in Africa: Protecting all Children’s Rights’.
The
commemoration, held at Mayork Junior and Senior Secondary School in Foni
Bondali District, began with a match pass led by the Sanyang Scout Band.
Speaking
on the occasion, James Pimundu, national director of ChildFund, said the
commemoration availed the opportunity to come together to ask why are children
not being protected enough, particularly during wars and other conflicts.
“It
is important we protect the needs of children and that is why at ChildFund, we
value the protection of children irrespective of their sex or religion,” he said.
Mr
Pimundu said they want to work with the public, communities, civil society
organisations and the UN systems in the journey through the lives of children
to adulthood.
He
noted that The Gambia government has come up with the right policies and ChildFund
works to complement that.
Sally
Sadie Singhateh, UNICEF communication specialist, deputising for UNICEF
representative in The Gambia, said in 2015, UNICEF estimate has it that about
250 million children were living in conflict, globally.
“Children
in Africa are adversely affected, with 3 out of 10 children living in conflict
areas,” she said.
Ms
Singhateh noted that the violence caused by Boko Haram in Nigeria, Niger, Chad
and Cameron is responsible for the displacement of about 1.3 million children.
Also,
according to 2011 UNHCR figures, the sporadic conflict in Casamance has driven
over 11,000 refugees, many of them are children, across the border into The
Gambia. Many of these refugees reside in
Foni District of West Coast Region.
UNICEF
communication specialist said despite The Gambia’s long history of peace and
stability, the population continues to be affected by climate related crisis
such as floods and heavy windstorms, food insecurity due to poor crop harvests,
and disease epidemics.
She
said in order to complement The Gambia government and other development and
humanitarian organisations, UNICEF has over the years provided support for
children affected by emergency under its various programmes.
Bakary
Saibo Sanneh, chairman of Brikama Area Council, has called on communities and
civil society organisations to work together to ensure that the rights of
children are not denied.
He
also called on children to fight for their rights “but not to over step the
corridors”.
