By: Isatou Sarr
A regional forum on children’s rights and protection Monday, 27th October, concluded at SDKJ-ICC here in The Gambia.
The forum organised by Gambia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare in conjunction with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights brought together dignitaries drawn from the host country- Gambia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry.
The high-powered regional forum, which was funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, was primarily focused on evaluating the implementation of recommendations made during the maiden High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Child Rights in 2022. The evaluation was to gauge the successes and challenges that emerged from implementing the recommendations.
However, discussions also shed light on child-burning issues such as cross-border child trafficking, gender-based violence, early child marriage, and the harsh socio-economic conditions affecting children.
Conveying Italy’s commitment to ensuring children and adolescents are active participants in shaping their futures, Madam Eugenia Pisani, Officer for Gender and Human Rights at the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, says, “Children are not only beneficiaries of development—they are key actors in building their communities,” she stated.
She noted that despite the ratifications of most international and regional human rights instruments, children in the region continued to face abuse, trafficking, exploitation, and forced labour.
Honourable Hawa Jude Tounkara, of the Children’s Assembly in Guinea-Conakry, stressed the importance of recognizing children as active participants in social change. “Investing in children is investing in peace, justice, and the future of our nations,” she said. Hawa re-echoed challenges being faced by children, such as early marriage, violence, and limited access to education as a result of constant socio-political and economic shocks.
Commissioner Halimatou Dibba of the National Human Rights Commission of Gambia noted that vulnerable groups, including children, women, persons with disabilities, and others, face systemic barriers that hinder the realization of their human rights. “Promoting children’s rights is essential for creating a world where every child can grow safely, freely, and with dignity,” she emphasised. Stressing that these rights are legal commitments anchored in regional and international instruments.
Mrs. Aminata Kebe, PAPEV Regional Coordinator, said the forum provided a platform to evaluate actions taken, define new priorities, and share best practices across participating countries. “This renewed commitment by Gambian authorities demonstrates our shared vision of promoting coordinated regional responses to the challenges faced by children,” she noted.
Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Honourable Fatou Kinteh, encouraged duty-bearers to move from what she referred to as moving from rhetoric to action. “Thousands of children across our four nations remain victims of sexual abuse, trafficking, dangerous labour, and harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage. We must establish robust legal mechanisms and cross-border cooperation to protect every child, regardless of borders,” she concluded.
The forum concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening child protection across the region, emphasizing cooperation, monitoring, and practical interventions to safeguard children’s rights.
