Child protection
UNICEF works to ensure that all children in The Gambia are protected from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect.
The challenge
Children in The Gambia still face a high prevalence of violence, including corporal punishment, high rates of child marriage, female genital mutilation, and physical and sexual abuse, particularly against girls in schools, communities and the tourism sector. Social norms and values, including a culture of silence, pose a big challenge to the consistency of child protection services and weakens the child protection system.
Moreover, children on the move face inadequate protection services in The Gambia, a country serving as both a transit and destination point for migrants. Unsafe migration, including that of children, is a significant concern, with rural-urban migration also on the rise.
Despite some improvement, birth registration remains a challenge, with a significant percentage of children lacking birth certificates. Limited government funding, technical capacity, and coordination among child protection institutions hinder effective child protection efforts, exacerbated by traditional beliefs supporting child abuse. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive strategies and increased resources to safeguard children's rights in The Gambia.
The solution
Our child protection program aims to establish a robust system in The Gambia that identifies, prevents, and responds to various child protection issues. We collaborate with the government and partners to ensure all children receive comprehensive protection from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
The program focuses on strengthening the child protection system through initiatives such as:
- ending FGM/C and child marriage
- enhancing child justice
- addressing violence against children
- supporting children on the move
- promoting children's voices
- improving birth registration
Efforts include awareness-raising campaigns, capacity-building for law enforcement and legal systems, and establishing case management systems for victims of abuse.