During
a presentation on child rights and protection at a GAMCOTRAP organized
sensitisation at Missira- Ba Mariama in Upper River Region (URR) Kantora
District,
Social
welfare coordinator of the Central River Region (CRR) said child protection is
a collective responsibility of everyone.
“Everyone
is responsible to make sure that children are protected from all forms of
abuse, neglect, exploitation including discrimination and to ensure their
wellbeing in the society,” Ebrima Jassey said.
He
said it is mandatory for every person to protect children who are about to be
involved in risk to ensure their safety.
The
social welfare officer further said child labour is affecting the wellbeing of
children in the society, noting that the practice is prohibited in The Gambia.
He warned people to stop such practices in the society so that the child’s
interests can be attained.
According
to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the minimum age for light work
is 16 years. The light work has no negative bearing on children’s education,
health and physical wellbeing. “16 years old children should not work in
hazardous places such as chemical producing factories and labor-intensive work
places.”
On
child marriage
Mr.
Jassey said research has shown that Central River and Upper River Regions are
vulnerable regions to child marriage and teenage pregnancy, adding that many
often dropout their children from school just to contract their marriage.
He
noted that both international treaties and national laws such as the Children
Amendment Act 2016 have proscribed all forms of child marriages in The Gambia.
“No
person has the rights to contract children for any forms of marriage and if
anyone is culpable of such will face legal consequences,” he reiterated.
Section
24 (1) of the Children Amendment Act 2016 states that a child shall not be
capable of contracting a valid marriage and child marriage is prohibited and
sub- section 2 states that a parent, guardian or any other adult who willfully
contract a marriage on behalf of a child, cause a child to be contract to a
marriage or force a child to contract a marriage commits an offence and is
liable on a conviction to imprisonment not exceeding twenty years.
