Children
National Assembly of The Gambia has called for action to put into reality on
the initiative dubbed “The Gambia we want” asking the central government and
the minister of women, children and social welfare to look into actions that
can provide adequate protection and development of children in The Gambia.
Deputy
speaker Jainaba Sanneh, who spoke on behalf of the elected members said
children from different regions in the country are encouraging the government
to fulfill its commitments and take action for child rights now.
She said despite all the progress made, there
are still challenges the country is grappling with, which call for collective
action by the government and other relevant stakeholders.
“The
culture of silence surrounding child sexual abuse and exploitation must be
broken through national and community dialogue using all available channels to
promote the right of children with disabilities, fight discrimination and
stigmatisation to ensure they have access to all forms of services and nation
building.”
Ms
Sanneh tasked the government to put in place effective mechanisms to reduce
road accidents and children casualties, and to provide a budget line in the
national budget for effectiveness of the children’s national assembly.
She
said the enactment of the Children’s Act 2005, women’s Act 2010, Tourism
Offences ACT 2003 and other relevant laws to secure children’s rights, protects
them from any forms of abuse, exploitation and violence and build an
environment that is enabling, loving and protective.
“Existing
regional and international legal instruments, in particular the united
nations convention on the rights of the
child and the African Charter on the rights and welfare of the child which
provide for the respect, protection and fulfillment of the rights of all
children without discrimination or distinction she said.’’
