UNICEF The Gambia calls for stronger measures to protect children from violence, abuse and exploitation

UNICEF The Gambia calls for stronger measures to protect children from violence, abuse and exploitation

Banjul, 03 February 2020 – Recognizable progress has been registered in The Gambia, but children continue to face violence and abuse in homes, schools, and public places. As The Gambia joins the rest of the world to usher in the Decade of Action (2020 -2030), a period of renewed commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, UNICEF The Gambia is calling for stronger action to protect children from violence and abuse.

Gains have been made in Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals – Target 16.2 – which calls for anend to all forms of violence against children, but, overall, action to meet the Goal is not advancing at the speed or scale required. 2020 needs to usher in a decade of ambitious action to protect children from violence, abuse and exploitation – and achieve the SDGs in general.

UNICEF The Gambia is encouraged by The Gambia Government’s explicit stance on child abuse or exploitation, especially the recent statement of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare declaring “zero tolerance” for abuse or exploitation of children. UNICEF is keen to match the Government’sdetermination with our best efforts to transform the tragedies that children have endured into the protection, hope and opportunity they deserve.

To ensure full protection of children from all forms of violence, UNICEF urges The Gambia Government to:

UNICEF The Gambia recognizes the work of partners, including civil society, private sector, local communities, and development partners in theprotection of children, and calls for stronger action from all partners to protect children in The Gambia from violence and abuse. UNICEF will continue to work with the Government and stakeholders to ensure all children are safe in their homes, schools, streets and public spaces.