By: Sering Mass Jallow & Isatou Sarr
The Gambian Judiciary, in collaboration with UNICEF, on Tuesday convened a high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue aimed at strengthening the country’s child justice system and improving the protection of children who come into contact with the law.
The two-day meeting, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo, brought together senior officials from the Judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, legal practitioners and representatives of international organisations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow said the dialogue reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between the Judiciary and UNICEF in promoting the rights, welfare and protection of children in The Gambia.
He stressed the need for continued institutional reforms to ensure that children who come into contact with the justice system, whether as victims, witnesses, children in need of care and protection, or those alleged to have committed offences, are treated with dignity and in accordance with their rights.
“When a child comes before the justice system as a victim or witness, a child in need of care and protection, or is alleged to have committed an offence, our institutions must respond in a manner that preserves dignity, safeguards rights and promotes positive outcomes for the child,” the Chief Justice said.
UNICEF Representative to The Gambia, Nafisa Binte Shafique, described the dialogue as a timely opportunity to assess progress made in strengthening the country’s child justice system and identify areas requiring further action.
She said the meeting would help stakeholders agree on practical measures to ensure that children in contact with the law are treated fairly, with dignity and in line with international child rights standards.
Shafique also commended The Gambia for the progress made in strengthening the legal and institutional framework for child justice.
Participants noted that the Children’s Act of 2005 and the Children’s (Amendment) Act of 2016 remain the principal legal instruments governing child protection and child justice in the country, reflecting The Gambia’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The organisers said the dialogue is expected to contribute to further reforms aimed at improving child protection and strengthening the delivery of child justice services in The Gambia.
About the Author
