Saamasang
Federation in collaboration with ChildFund The Gambia recently conducted a
training workshop for women of Bafoloto village at the federation’s office in
the village.
The
training was to sensitise and give the woman basic knowledge of the negative
impacts of violence against children in the communities.
Speaking
to The Point newspaper, Haruna Badjie of Social Welfare who is also Saamasang’s
regional coordinator for West Coast Region, said it has been realised that
child marriage has more negative than positive effects to the child bride and
mother.
He
said the sensitisation of various stakeholders in The Gambia on child marriage
has yielded dividend when President Yahya Jammeh banned it in the country and
the necessary legislation put in place to criminalise the practice.
Mr
Badjie said henceforth, the marriage of parties below the age of 18 is not
recognised by law and is criminal.
However,
he noted that though the law is important, its enforcement is the most crucial
because that is what can help protect the children.
Lamin
Fatty of Saamasang Federation said the training workshop was for parents whose
children are within 6 to 14 years and are under Childfund sponsorship programme
at Bafuloto community association.
