By Sarjo M. Camara
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, in collaboration with UNICEF and partners held a day’s national consultation meeting in preparation for the first Global Conference on the Ending Violence Against Children, scheduled to take place in Bogota, Columbia, on 7th and 8th November, 2024. The meeting took place on Tuesday, 22nd October at a local hotel. Addressing the meeting Roheyatou Kah, the Permanent Secretary, deputising for Hon. Fatou Sanyang Kinteh, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, informed that the global conference is jointly organised by the Government of Colombia with the support of Sweden, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence Against Children. She thanked all the stakeholders for their commitment and contributions to the document being presented.
Armand Gnahore, the Deputy Representative, UNICEF, commended the Government and the population of The Gambia for the recognisable efforts registered in The Gambia over the past years in SDG 16.2, which calls for an end of all forms of violence against children. “Like many other countries, The Gambia has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. The Gambia has also domesticated the UNCRC in the Children’s Act of 2005” he said. The UNICEF Deputy Rep said The Gambia recently submitted its CRC report which constitutes a good step in reporting on progress made by the country in the promotion and protection of child rights. “The country is also about to submit its universal Periodic Report. However, much remains to be done to protect children from violence in The Gambia as children continue to face violence and abuse in homes, schools, and public places”.
He said ending violence against children is both an ethical imperative and a smart, cost-saving investment in the future. “Six years before 2023, the global community stands at a pivotal moment in ending violence against children, aligning with the vision of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other important treaties and protocols. Globally, violence against children is a grave concern, and efforts are ongoing to protect children from neglect, abuse, violence, and exploitation. Achieving the Agenda 2030 commitment for every child to live free from violence requires concerted effort at all levels. The protection of children from all forms of violence requires renewed commitment, momentum, and sustained effort from all sectors,” he stated.
Mr Gnahore said the meeting was preceded by a children’s consultation held ten days ago, giving children across the country an opportunity to gather and explore together the progress made, identify the most urgent and critical efforts needed by decision-makers at all levels to make the ambition of ending violence against children a reality. “Ending violence against children is a cross- cutting priority and seeing participants from various MDAs and CSOs as well as children in our today’s meeting is a promise that we will equip the Gambian delegation to Bogota with a strong multi-sectoral report and a quality pledge for the upcoming years,” the UNICEF Deputy Rep said. Hon. Lamin Jawo, the Speaker of the children’s parliament, said they have outlined salient points for the government to consider repealing and adjusting some laws that will improve the needs and aspiration of children in The Gambia.
