Child
Protection Alliance (CPA) on Monday started a two-day training on CRC
Concluding Observations held at KMC grounds and Brikama Area Council.
The
training, funded by Save the Children International, targeted opinion leaders
such as religion and traditional leaders, community interest groups, and ward
councilors in KMC and Brikama.
Lamin
K. Saidy of CPA said they are aware of the fact that they will not achieve what
they want if they do not work with communities.
He
said in child protection there are certain measures that one needs to take to
be able to achieve one’s aim.
Among
such measures is a law that protects children, structures to protect children,
as well as educating and empowering communities, Mr Saidy said.
He
further explained that The Gambia is a signatory to the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and there are rules attached to
those laws that need to be fulfilled by the government.
Based
on the convention, the government is required to periodically send a report on
the status of children in The Gambia and what they are doing to promote and
protect child’s rights. NGOs, too, send
their reports showing what the government is doing and recommendations on things
that have to be done as well.
The
Gambia government is then written to with issues contained in the report of the
NGOs and the recommendations to implement.
The
CPA official said the training will be centred on such recommendations and what
the councilors can do to enhance the implementation of the recommendations.
Momodou
Jaiteh, deputy Mayor of KMC, said although there are lots of organisations
working in the area of child protection, CPA is well known for promoting and
protecting the rights of children as well as contributing to their growth.
Mr
Jaiteh noted that the development of The Gambia is in the hands of children.
“So
if they are well brought up, the future of the country will be bright,” he
said.
Jaja
Cham, KMC admin officer, said anyone taking care of children is helping
him/herself because children are the future so helping them is preparing the
future.
He
called on parents to guide their children on the right path by giving them
proper education and upbringing.
Mr
Cham said KMC is very committed to the promotion and protection of the rights
of children and anything that has to do with the growth of children.
The
council is also always open to work with organisations, such as CPA, working to
ensure that children have brighter future.
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