The move was designed to promote their rights and interests in line with the principles and standards of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child and other human rights instruments.
Besides, the Boot Camp, which attracted over twenty (20) rural schools from the Central River and Upper River Regions, was also graced by selected students from the St John’s School for the Deaf in the Greater Banjul Area.
Fatou Sunno, A Catch Them Young Volunteer, explained that the initiative would equip participants with necessary skills on rights advocacy.
"This camp will help with the necessary skills in Stem and also build their confidence in advocacy for their rights and reject harmful traditional practices." she said.
Armand Gnahore, Deputy representative of UNICEF, who was among the sponsors of the event, said the initiative seeks to not only celebrate the girl child, but also commemorates The National Day for the Girl Child, which is observed globally every October 11th.
The day, he added, highlights the challenges girls face and ways to promote and address those challenges.
"This is a month dedicated for our wonderful girls who are smart and serves as an inspiration for, all of us in this room. Last year August my daughter turned 20 years. As a father, it has never been easy to watch the challenges my daughter has had to face. I have witnessed firsthand that life is still not always fair. She has had to push through barriers, often facing expectations that don't value girls as much as they should. I am incredibly proud of her strength and determination." he narrated.
Lamin Camara, Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund at the UN House, indicated that it is part of their programmes to empower young people, but more importantly to make sure that they don't leave anyone behind.
He observed that most at times, development initiatives are focused in the Greater Banjul Area and a result of that, a lot of people in hard-to-reach communities are not exposed to some of the realities that other young people face.
Louis Moses Mendy, Permanent Secretary at The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), who was the guest speaker at the event, elaborated on how female students are rapidly taking over both in academics and in the leadership domain.
"I don't want us to think that there are things made for girls. There is nowhere, both in religion and academics and social lives where they say this particular thing is for men and not women. So, let us get that mentality and stereotype out of our heads." he mentioned.
MoBSE PS maintained that to educate a girl child is simply educating a nation, adding that this is the reason why Catch Them Young-The Gambia with its partners, prioritises female education especially for those in rural areas.
