By Kemo Kanyi
The Gambian government has reiterated its commitment to addressing child labour, particularly the involvement of children in street and market trading.
Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare Fatou Kinteh made the commitment on Friday while responding to questions during the Mansa Kunda Ministerial Town Hall, a public engagement program aimed at highlighting government policies, sector achievements and development progress.
Kinteh acknowledged concerns over children engaged in trading activities, particularly in markets, but noted that some children currently assisting their parents were doing so during the school holidays.
“We are striving to remedy the issue of child labour, especially those that are selling in the markets when they should be in school,” she said.
“However, we must also understand that we are currently in the holidays and some of them are helping their parents in their businesses. We will follow and assess who these children are and why they are involved in market or street selling.”
The minister said the government would take steps to address the issue while urging parents to respect the rights of their children and ensure that they are not deprived of access to education.
She said her ministry would also engage parents of children involved in market and street trading to better understand the circumstances and explore appropriate solutions.
Kinteh also highlighted interventions undertaken by her ministry to support women, particularly persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
She cited the provision of wheelchairs, food assistance, cash support and other forms of social protection among the interventions.
The minister said her ministry had collected data on children with disabilities in the Kanifing Municipality and West Coast Region as part of efforts to develop targeted interventions.
She said an action plan would be developed to address the needs of children with disabilities and improve support services.
Kinteh called on philanthropists and institutions to partner with the government in addressing challenges affecting vulnerable children and families.
She also said children in institutional care remained a priority for the ministry, particularly those without identified families.
According to Kinteh, the government provides psychological and other support services, as well as basic necessities, to children under institutional care.
She added that the government was also encouraging the reintegration of such children into families and communities, in line with established minimum standards.
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