Africa-Press – Gambia. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, in collaboration with regional and international partners, has convened a ministerial forum aimed at strengthening national and cross-border protections against child mistreatment in West Africa.
The meeting held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Bijilo, builds on the 2022 Biomedical Declaration, seeking to consolidate progress made in safeguarding children’s rights across the region.
Despite existing legal frameworks, children in West Africa continue to face serious threats, including neglect, trafficking, exploitation, early marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and other harmful practices.
Delivering the keynote address, Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to enforcing laws protecting children from labour exploitation and rights violations. He called for stronger cooperation among governments to tackle cross-border child protection challenges.
Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Honourable Fatou Kinteh, called on regional governments to renew commitments to eliminating violations against children, noting that while challenges remain significant, collective action can pave the way for a safer future for every child.
Her Excellency Lily French, ECOWAS Resident Representative in The Gambia, underscored the organisation’s commitment through its Child Policy and Strategic Plan of Action 2019–2030.
She noted that the policy aligns with international instruments such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, reinforcing cooperation among member states to harmonise laws and strengthen child protection systems.
She highlighted the PAPEV initiative launched in 2010 with support from the Italian Cooperation Agency which provides legal, judicial, and psychosocial assistance to child victims while promoting coordinated regional responses.
“As a community founded on peace and shared prosperity, we believe children’s well-being is central to the future of West Africa,” she said. “Their rights to education, health, protection, and participation must be upheld without compromise.”
Karl Frederick Paul, the UN Resident Coordinator in The Gambia, emphasised that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals means ensuring every child is safe, respected, and able to fulfil their potential.
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