The launch ceremony, held at UTG Faraba Bantang Campus, brought together senior government officials, academics, lawmakers, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, and students.
UNICEF Country Representative Ms Nafisa Binte Shafique described the establishment of the Child Rights Centre as a major step towards building a sustainable national infrastructure for the realisation of children’s rights in The Gambia.
She emphasised that the Centre comes at a critical time, as the country continues to strengthen its legal and institutional frameworks in line with international and regional obligations.
“The launch also coincided with significant national and international milestones, including The Gambia’s independence celebrations and UNICEF’s anniversary in the country, further underscoring the importance of renewed commitment to child protection and development,” she said.
Nafisa reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment in its strong support for the initiative, noting that the Centre directly responds to The Gambia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, which have been domesticated through the Children’s Act of 2005, currently under review.
She highlighted that meeting these obligations requires strong institutional capacity, reliable data and research, trained professionals, and broad public awareness - areas the new centre is designed to address.
The Child Rights Centre is expected to serve as a national hub for child rights research, training, advocacy, and policy dialogue. It will generate evidence-based research across disciplines such as law, social sciences, economics, and data science, while strengthening the capacity of professionals working with and for children, including social workers, educators, health workers, justice actors, and law enforcement officers.
“The Centre will also mainstream child rights and gender into university curricula and provide a platform for dialogue among policymakers, academics, civil society organisations, and children themselves. This approach aims to foster a culture where children are recognised as rights-holders and active participants in decisions affecting their lives,” she added.
Vice-Chancellor of UTG, Prof. Herbert Robinson, in his opening remarks, described the launch of the Child Rights Centre at the Faraba Banta Campus as a historic milestone in the country’s efforts to promote and protect children’s rights, noting that it is the first university-based centre of its kind in The Gambia.
He said the Centre underscores the growing role of universities in shaping national policy, generating evidence-based solutions and responding to societal challenges, while strengthening national capacity to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child in partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare.
Minister for Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Fatou Kinteh, remarked that the centre’s success will depend on strong partnerships and collective action. She called on government institutions, civil society, the media, communities, and students to work together to ensure that the rights of every child in The Gambia are respected, protected, and fulfilled.
Addressing students in particular, Madam Kinteh encouraged them to take ownership of the Centre, engage with communities across the country, and use empathy and research to understand the diverse challenges faced by children, especially those in rural areas, children with disabilities, and girls at risk of exclusion and abuse.
She further commended UTG for its leadership and commitment in hosting the Centre and placing child rights at the heart of academic excellence and national development. “The government, particularly the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, was also praised for its continued leadership in advancing child protection policies and reforms,” she said.
With the establishment of the Child Rights Centre, stakeholders expressed optimism that The Gambia is taking a bold and lasting step towards strengthening child rights systems, informing policy through evidence, and nurturing future leaders who will uphold the dignity, safety, and rights of every child for generations to come.
