By Mariama Njie
ChildFund, The Gambia Observed International Day of the Girl Child in Partnership with Foni Ding Ding Federation, Ding-Ding Yiriwa Federation and Saama Kairo Federation. The theme for this year celebration is “Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow”, held at the Governor’s office Brikama.
International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated annually on the 11th of October.
The main aims of the day are to promote girls empowerment and fulfillment of their human rights and also highlighting the challenges face by the girls all over the world.
Speaking at the ceremony, Fabakary Sanneh on behalf of the Governor of West Coast Region said young people are key drivers’ especially young girls, noting that investing on them is a step towards a right direction.
“Girl children are very fundamental in terms of development aspiration in whatever we are doing”, he added.
Mr. Alieu Marr on behalf of Child Fund country Director, said International Day is celebrated every year on the 11th October, but since this year’s 11th of October coincided on a working day, they decided to move it to 12th of October.
He pointed out that, girls face so many challenges around the world particularly in The Gambia.
He also explained that, the celebration meant is to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems affecting girls and women at large.
“Girls are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes, exclusion including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities’’, he revealed.
Lisa Camara Coordinator of Safe Hands for Girls, said the significance of this day is to reflect on raising awareness on issues faced by girls globally and also the achievement of the Beijing Declaration Platform for Action 25years ago.
“Today I challenge all of you to inspire a campaign in promoting girl’s human rights and join global efforts in ensuring that the world is discrimination free for girls’’, she said.
Isatou Jallow the Coordinator of Girls Agenda, noted that girls are facing challenges of realizing their dreams due to child marriage, sexual violation, gender base violence and FGM.
“I therefore, calls on the government to ensure that laws against Gender base violence, child marriage and FGM are given due implementation and not just beautified in our offices allowing culprits of this human rights violations go free in our society’’, she appealed.
