By: Haruna Kuyateh
Action Aid International The Gambia (AAITG) Juffureh Office Local Rights Programme 9 (LRP 9) on Saturday celebrated the Day of The African Child 2023 in Upper Nuimi of North Bank Region under the theme – The rights of the child in the digital environment.
The day was observed in Albreda Upper Basic and Senior Secondary School in Upper Nuimi of the North Bank Region. The day formed part of the annual plan of activities by Action Aid International to join the World in commemoration of the Day of the African Child.
Alagie Camara, Sponsorship Manager of Action Aid International the Gambia underscored the significance of the day, noting that the theme: Is important in promoting the right of the children in the digital environment.
Since the establishment of Action Aid International in 1978, he said, the organisation contributed immensely to promoting education and all-inclusive participation in the implementation of development projects.
The theme, he said, aimed to remind the government, civil society organisations, and communities to look towards promoting and protecting the interests of children. Providing a digital environment would help students to carry out research, and homework through the use of the Internet with mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.
Manager Camara reiterated that the agency attached great importance to the protection of children using the Internet and therefore it is equally important for parents and guidance to be proactive in the protection of children in assessing images that can be detrimental to them.
He noted that Action Aid International The Gambia greatly provide the necessary capacity building for staff to ensure compliance and operate within the framework of policy aimed to protect children from all form of abuse.
Saikou Darboe, Programme Manager Juffureh Office reiterated the importance of the day, noting that schools are critical stakeholders in child protection and safeguarding from abuse and trafficking. He disclosed that the staff has collected over 4000 child messages and lauded the staff for their proactivenessin ensuring the timely submission of messages.
