This, members believe would help reduce the rate of child labor, crime, idling among others in those areas.
The debate centred on the theme “Accelerate actions towards The Gambia we want” was moved by Tida Barrow, member for Kanifing Municipal Council.
In his submission, Babucarr Sowe, Member for North Bank Region, acknowledged that every child has right to play and therefore they deserve recreational centers.
“Creating more playing centers have huge benefits for kids as it helps them develop their physical strength, coordination and balance, improve their mental health, foster their abilities among others."
He thus called on authorities to build more play-grounds for children especially those in rural Gambia.
On her part Hon. Fatoumata Krubally, representing Upper River Region, highlighted that in rural areas, children are exposed to child labor, involvement in crime, begging, idling among others especially in summer.
"Unlike the urban areas where children have play ground. The government should look beyond the urban Gambia and be aware that a huge number of children also live in the rural Gambia, whom also deserve these same facilities."
She made reference to existing regional and international human rights legal instruments ratified by the State, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child which obligate the Government to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of all children without discrimination or distinction.
This, she further argued is the obligation of the State as the primary protector of children to effectively implement and enforce all the laws that protect children against all forms of abuse, exploitation and violence, and to diligently investigate, prosecute and punish child sex predators both online and offline, rapists and child traffickers.
