By: Haruna Kuyateh
A two-day capacity development training on the protection of women’s and children’s rights including the impact of migration on families left behind recently ended in Kerewan, North Bank Region.
The two-day synergy was jointly organised by Ministries of Gender and Interior, the Family Left Behind (FLB) Project which was funded by IOM Development Fund.
The two-day meeting brought together 35 participants from rural communities, including women councillors, youth leaders and local authority representatives.
Mr Siaka Marong, the Assistant Director, Projects and Programme, Women’s Bureau Ministry of Gender Children and Social Welfare addressing the gathering says as some people seek better opportunities in distant lands, their absence leaves a significant gap in the lives of those left behind. “Women and children, often at the heart of the families, face unique challenges, be it emotional distress of separation, the burden of additional responsibilities, or the risk of exploitation.”
For his part, Pa Njie an official of IOM said the objective of the FLB Project was to complement Gambia government’s efforts towards ensuring protection of families left behind by migrants and further enhance their contribution to sustainable development. Njie added that the project would also support policymakers to use gender-sensitive evidence on the impact of migration on families left behind in the Gambia. He called on participants to be supportive and protective of children from all form of abuse.
Other speakers at the meeting included: Chief Fabala .F.Kinteh of Lower Badibou and Modou Lamin Samateh, an official of Immigration Department.
The training centred on: Overview of migration impacts and training objectives, introduction to women and children rights, legal frameworks and international standards, informal networking and group interaction, among others.
