The Plight Of Children

The Government of The Gambia and UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation 2007 to 2011 was recently reviewed at a two-day mid-term review programme, held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

The country programme seeks to provide avenues for children and women to acquire adequate capacities and appropriate skills, knowledge and means to claim their rights, and to achieve an enabling environment through child and gender-sensitive policies, programmes and legislation supported evidence-based data analysis and advocacy.

It also promotes gender equality, and encourages young people's participation through Community Capacity Development (CCD). Its three main areas of focus are child survival and development, basic education and child protection and child policy advocacy.

The mid-term review is very important because it would accord the two parties to recall on the successes registered and the gaps that might have existed, thus making adjustment if necessary.

To achieve all these targets for the well-being of our children all hands must be on deck. It requires concerted efforts from government, families and development partners like UNICEF.

With regards to the country programme, we implore all the two parties to leave no stone unturned in ensuring a successful country programme.

Our thanks go to all development partners, including UNICEF for supporting the country's education sector.

A crucial sector like education needs the intervention of all and sundry.