By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency President Adama Barrow last week received in audience United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Country Representative in The Gambia, Ms. Nafisa Binte Shafique.
Shortly after her meeting with President Barrow, Mrs Shafique told the waiting press that this was her first courtesy visit to the President. She said their discussion centered on a lot of issues which include strategic approach to child rights issues. She said the fact that in The Gambia 53% of the population fall under the age of 19, demonstrates the need to invest in young people.
She further explained that education of adolescent is also very important to have a very good future for the young people of the country as Protection is a fundamental right for every child and adolescent. Every child has the right to be protected against abuse, exploitation, harmful practices, child marriage, and girls’ protection against Female Genital Mutilation.
The UNICEF Country Representative took the opportunity to express her concern over the attempts to repeal the Women’s Act, which prohibits FGM in The Gambia, and appealed to the President to ensure that the situation is controlled with a strategy that is in the best interest of women and girls.
“We are aware that FGM is sensitive because of religion and culture, and people are not very enlightened. We use diplomacy because we don’t want to go backwards; instead, we think of moving forward,” she stated.
The UNICEF Rep was accompanied to State House by Armand Gnahore, Deputy Country Representative of UNICEF; and Momodou Muctarr Jallow, Communication Officer, UNICEF.
