The
United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in The Gambia has issued a
statement welcoming President Yahya Jammeh’s ban on child marriage in The
Gambia.
“We
applaud the strong leadership shown by His Excellency the President,
demonstrating government’s commitment to protect and fulfil the rights of
children,” the statement issued to this paper yesterday said.
The
following is the full statement of UNICEF The Gambia:
UNICEF’s
Response to the ban on Child Marriage in the Islamic Republic of The Gambia
UNICEF
The Gambia welcomes the declaration by His Excellency the President of The
Islamic Republic of The Gambia to ban child marriage in the country, effective
6th July 2016.
We
applaud the strong leadership shown by His Excellency the President, demonstrating
government’s commitment to protect and fulfil the rights of children.
Child
marriage is a violation of the rights of girls, endangering their health,
educational opportunities and increasing their vulnerability to violence.
The
2013 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) indicates that over 40 per cent of
women aged 20 – 49 in The Gambia were married before the age of 18 years, while
16 per cent of women of the same age cohort got married before they turned 15.
This practice denies girls their right to education and freedom to control
their bodies; it also endangers their health, and exposes them to the risks
associated with maternal complications, HIV infection and Gender-Based
Violence.
This
unprecedented move by the Government of The Islamic Republic of The Gambia is a
great win for the people of the country, development organizations and
partners, and especially the girls who are potentially at risk of child
marriage.
The
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) calls upon member
states to ensure that all children - boys and girls - realize their full rights
to develop, thrive and reach their fullest potential.
UNICEF
is mandated by the UNCRC to work with member states in building safe and
conducive environments for children to realize their rights, including the
right to be protected from harmful practices, including child marriage.
UNICEF
is committed to continue working with the Government of the Islamic Republic of
The Gambia in the drafting of the comprehensive legislation that bans child
marriage and provides support for victims as a crucial element in the fight to
eliminate child marriage.
UNICEF
will also continue working with the Government of the Islamic Republic of The
Gambia and Civil Society Organizations to put this legislation into practice,
by putting in place guidelines, guidance and programmes to end child marriage
and protect the rights of the girl child.
UNICEF
trusts that the government’s commitment will turn into practice, and child
marriage will no longer have place in the Gambian community.
