The National Human Rights Commission has argued practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage continue to blight the lives of children in The Gambia, as the commission issued a statement on the occasion of this year’s Day of the African Child.
June 16 was set aside by the African Union to commemorate the 1971 Soweto Student Uprising and encourage Governments and peoples to reflect on the conditions of children in Africa and map out strategies to build an Africa fit for children.
NHRC said: “While The Gambia has taken enviable strides to improve the welfare of children through the enactment of legislation and development of child-friendly policies, child health and general child wellbeing, many gaps and challenges remain in child protection, child survival and development, and enjoyment of the rights stipulated in the Children’s Act 2005 and other ratified regional and international child rights instruments.
“Infant mortality, maternal mortality and morbidity, lack of education amongst girls, child abuse and sexual exploitation, including rape and sodomy, sexual harassment, child trafficking, harmful social and cultural practices such as, FGM and child marriage, child begging, child labour and physical abuse remain some of the conditions that continue to blight the lives of Gambian children.”
