Gambia’s Child Rights Crisis: Tackling Child Labor, Abuse, and FGM
By Mariama Dem
Gambia, known for its peace-loving people and rich culture, grapples with a troubling reality—the stark gap between promises and policies and the harsh truth that Child Rights Protection remains largely symbolic. Children in Gambia face various human rights violations, from sexual and domestic abuse to child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and a concerning rate of school dropouts.
A World Bank study highlights that FGM affects a staggering 73 percent of Gambian children, according to recent reports.
UNICEF’s 2022 Annual Report for Gambia exposes a grim situation where a shocking 89.2 percent of children experience multiple forms of violence. Specifically, 51 percent of girls undergo FGM, and 15 percent are engaged in hazardous work.
Alarming statistics reveal that 25.7 percent of children in Gambia are married before 18, with 7.5 percent marrying before 15.
Environmental challenges, including flooding and drought, compound the struggles for Gambia’s children, exposing them to unsanitary conditions and depriving them of basic health facilities.
The UNFPA’s investment case warns of a potential surge in FGM cases and child marriages between 2023 and 2030 if urgent action is not taken.
Poverty drives families to send children to the streets, either as beggars or engaged in dangerous labour. A Gambia labour survey reveals that 22.9 percent of children are involved in child labor, with rates increasing significantly with age.
Child labour is particularly prevalent in rural areas, affecting both boys and girls, where the proportion is almost four times higher compared to urban areas.
This distressing trend takes a toll on education, with 23.0 percent of children aged 5-14 working, and 15.1 percent attending school while working. In rural areas, 13.1 percent of children solely work without attending school.
Reacting to this crisis, Kaddy Barrow, a member of the Children’s National Assembly, calls for prioritizing the protection, provision, and overall development of children, urging the government and stakeholders to uphold children’s rights.
Lamin Fatty, the Country Coordinator of the Child Protection Alliance, stresses the need for concrete actions despite having legal instruments in place. He emphasises the urgency of addressing child abuse, party rape, and the existing gap between legal frameworks and effective solutions.
The lack of awareness within communities perpetuates harmful practices. Fatty advocates for increased awareness campaigns, addressing culturally accepted practices like child labour and begging.
Enforcement of existing laws remains a challenge, with insufficient efforts in arrest and prosecution. Fatty underlines the importance of proper investment in the welfare of children, citing the current budgetary allocation as insufficient.
Ongoing efforts to review the Children Act, in collaboration with partners, are crucial. Fatty calls for a partnership between the central and local governments to reinforce and safeguard children’s rights, emphasising that tangible progress requires effective law enforcement and a committed government.