By Sarjo M Camara
Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Hon. Fatou Sanyang Kinteh was in the Swiss capital, Geneva, to participate in the 98th Session of the Committee on Convention on the Rights of the Child during the Combined Periodic 4th To 7th Report of the Republic of The Gambia 2015 to 2024.
Delivering a statement at the meeting last week Honourable Kinteh said Gambia’s representation at the meeting underscored its deep commitment to the principles and objectives of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
She said children hold a sacred place in The Gambia’s cultural, religious, and traditional values. “They are regarded as blessings and the custodians of our collective future. Our dedication to their welfare is not merely a matter of policy but is deeply embedded in the fabric of our society. This ethos informs and inspires our efforts to ensure their rights are upheld and their potential realised”.
She went on: “Since our last review in 2014, The Gambia has undergone a significant transformation. In 2017, following a historic democratic transition, the country moved from decades of authoritarian rule under former President Yahya Jammeh to a new era of governance under President Adama Barrow. This transition marked the establishment of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which aimed to address past human rights violations, including those impacting women and children. The TRRC played a pivotal role in shedding light on the vulnerabilities of children during the dictatorship, documenting their experiences of violence, exploitation, and neglect. Through extensive outreach activities, the TRRC engaged with communities across the country, giving families a platform to share the profound impacts of the regime’s actions on children. These accounts revealed the psychological trauma, disrupted education, and social marginalization endured by children, emphasizing the urgent need for institutional reforms to protect their rights”. She noted that by prioritising inclusivity and amplifying the voices of victims, the TRRC has not only facilitated healing but has also laid the groundwork for rebuilding trust and advancing child rights in The Gambia.
On legislative milestones, the Gender and Children’s Minister said The Gambia’s legislative framework has been strengthened to align with international standards. “The Children’s Act 2005 was amended in 2016 to criminalise child marriage and other harmful practices. Furthermore, the Women’s Act was amended in 2015 to prohibit Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and the Persons with Disabilities Act was enacted in 2021 to ensure the inclusion of children with disabilities”.
Madam Kinteh went on to highlight the country’s institutional advancements such as the establishment of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare in 2019 to serve as the primary institution for addressing issues related to gender and child welfare, as well as specialised units such as the Directorate of Children’s Affairs among others.
The Minister also highlighted the policy developments such as the National Child Protection Strategy, the Minimum Standards for Quality Care in Residential Facilities 2022, the National Referral Mechanism 2022 and the Child Labour Policy, as well as on inclusive education, progress in health, child participation and child protection mechanisms.
She also mentioned strides being made in the area of food and nutrition security, ensuring adequate nutrition for children remains a cornerstone of The Gambia’s commitment to upholding the CRC.
