Africa-Press – Gambia. UNICEF and its government and development partners on Tuesday renewed efforts to strengthen the protection and welfare of children and adolescents in The Gambia.
The initiative brings together public and private sector actors to address challenges affecting young people, including access to education, healthcare, protection from exploitation and opportunities for digital and economic empowerment.
Speaking at the launch, the UN Resident Coordinator in The Gambia, Karl Fredrick Paul, said the call to action was driven by the realities faced by Gambian children. He reaffirmed the UN system’s support for national initiatives in health, education, employment and access to essential services.
Paul urged private sector institutions to work more closely with government and civil society to improve service delivery for children and adolescents.
UNICEF Representative to The Gambia, Nafisa Binte Shafique, noted that 54% of the country’s population is under 19, adding that increased investment in young people was essential. She said stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors would help advance practical solutions that promote children’s rights.
The initiative is aligned with UNICEF’s plans leading to 2026, including proposed amendments to the Children’s Act based on recommendations from the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Government officials welcomed the renewed partnership. Public Service Minister Babucarr Boye commended UNICEF’s engagement and said the government remained committed to supporting children’s development. Gender, Children and Social Welfare Minister Fatou Kinteh said youth participation was central to national progress, stressing that the protection of children’s rights required collective responsibility.
The launch underscores a renewed national focus on child protection and youth empowerment, with partners pledging closer cooperation to ensure that all children in The Gambia can thrive.
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