By Ndey Sowe
On the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child observed annually every October 11, UNICEF encourages everyone to advocate for policies and services that supports girls’ education, health and empowerment.
UNICEF, in its statement, said building the capacity of every duty bearer including parents, teachers, religious leaders, service providers and others, will ensure an enabling and protective environment for girls to thrive.
“Now more than ever, we must invest in girls’ rights and provide equal opportunities for them to thrive,” UNICEF The Gambia Representative, Ms Nafisa Binte Shafique, said in a statement, as she joined communities around the world to celebrate the Day.
This year’s theme on “Girls’ Vision for the Future”, highlights the urgent need for action to ensure that every girl achieves her full potential. The Gambia has made significant strides in its investment in equal rights and opportunities particularly in education and gender equality.
“Girls’ enrolment in Schools has improved and year after year, girls keep strengthening their attainments. This year, 791 girls scored 5 credits and above, including English and Mathematics in the 2024 WASSCE results,” she applauded.
“Additionally, she indicated that a decline in child marriage in the past ten years in some parts of the country, and the recent success in preventing the proposed repeal of the law banning FGM, sends a signal of hope for the protection of girls from all forms of abuse and violence.
“Girls are repositioning themselves as leaders and beacons of hope for their communities. Today more than ever, we must come together to build on these milestones,” she asserted.
She outlined that despite the progress made, 1 in 4 young women in The Gambia is married before the age of 18, and 50% of girls below the age of 15 undergo FGM, with many more being denied their basic rights to education, health, nutrition, hygiene and protection.
“Too often, they face discrimination, violence and unequal opportunities simply because they are girls,” she said, adding that girls with disabilities face compounded discrimination due to both their gender and disability, leading to their exclusion from essential services, and increasing their vulnerability to violence and limited participation in decision making. This intersectional discrimination, she noted, hinders their potential and requires targeted interventions to ensure that we leave no girl behind.
“UNICEF and the entire UN family remain committed to work with the Government of The Gambia and all partners to ensure the protection of girls and the safeguarding of their rights, as enshrined in the UNCRC, CEDAW and UNCRPD, and domesticated through different national laws,” she assured.
As they reflect on the challenges girls face, she urged all to commit to be part of the solution.
This, she said, guarantees the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the green recovery focused National Development Plan 2023-2027 of The Gambia.
“On this day and beyond, and as girls tell us about their vision for the future, we must listen and work together to provide safe space for girls to thrive in all sectors including in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, without the fear of discrimination, unfair wages, cyber bullying, abuse and exploitation. The time to invest in their future is now! Let us be inspired by the strength and the resilience of girls around the world who are breaking barriers and driving change,” she said
According to her, the recent census indicated there are more than 300 thousand adolescent girls in the Gambia, and she asked everyone to imagine each of them as bright stars full of potential and possibilities.
‘‘If we can ensure 300 thousand lights are shining to the fullest, the Gambia will outshine in the region and in the world,’’ she said. She therefore encourages all to nurture the 300 thousand plus lights and invest in them, adding that an incredible outcome is guaranteed from them.
