By Amadou Manjang
Project Steering Committee of Project to Support the Protection of Children Victims of the Violation of their Right [PAPEV] holds workshop to review and adopt the first PAPEV Phase II work plan on Thursday.
PAPEV Project seeks to support the government of The Gambia Government to strengthen national Child Protection systems.
The project is finance by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation through the Office of The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and a grant to the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre to support to Strengthening of reception services for Children Victims of Human Rights Violations.
The PAPEV phase II seeks to define priorities and strengthen national child protection system in the country.
The PAPEV Phase I supported reforms efforts in child protection, access to knowledge, strengthening of child protection service delivery, and the strengthening of the skills of Care workers.
AminataKebe, Regional Coordinator of PAPEV said the importantance of the PAPEV Phase II cannot be emphasized.
She said that it focuses on inclusion of vulnerable groups such as children with disabilities and mobilisation and capacity building of grassroot sector.
She added this marks a turning point in their commitment to support the advancement of children’s right in the Gambia.
The Speaker of Gambia Children’s Parliament, LaminJawo said the population of children in The Gambia should not only be used in data analysis.
‘Child rights are not merely words written on papers but foundations upon which a brighter and fairer future is built. Our Nation’s hopes, voices and dreams are encapsulated within these rights,’ he said.
He welcomed the PAPEV Phase II as a means of collective duty to make sure rights are promoted and protected.
‘We hope this meeting serves as a beacon of hope and collaboration, illuminating the path toward a future where the rights of children are not just acknowledged but actively protected and celebrated,’ he said.
The Director of Social Welfare representing the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare said child protection is everybody’s business.
‘Therefore, the Ministry will continue to encourage this multisectoral collaboration as we continue to work together to push forward the agenda of child protection,” he added.
He said one of the greatest resources of this nation is its children, adding that government is taking an uncompromised stance in combatting violence against children.
He further added that he is committed to doing all in its power to protect the well being of children in The Gambia.’
He said ‘our children need us to accompany them to stand solidly and access platforms that will amplify their voices on issues that affect them.
He said there is need to review and reform the legislature to promote and protect the rights of children.
“Now more than ever, do we need to take our stance in the holistic implementation of policies and programs for children and young people?
“The Ministry will continue to stand strongly behind you as you go beyond the validation of the workplan to the implementation of the planned activities for 2024,’ he said.
The organization started operations in The Gambia in September 2019.
The PAPEV Project partners with the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare and the Institute For Social Reformation and Action (ISRA) to provide food and non-food items to children in 50 Quranic Recitation Centres across the country and The Shelter For Children in Bakoteh.
