By Yunus S Saliu
The Gambia First Lady, Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow on Friday joined the UNICEF and partners to celebrate the World Children’s Day held at the Alliance Franco along Kairaba Avenue.
The celebration was attended by high dignitaries including Ministers, Diplomatic Corps and officials of UN Systems, government representatives, partners, friends, and champions of children’s rights.
Addressing the gathering, Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow expressed pleasure in joining to commemorate the day and potential of every child.
She said the day is not only to celebrate but also to call into action and advocate for the rights, dignity, and welfare of every child in the Gambia and elsewhere worldwide.
“All over the world, there are millions of children each with unique dreams, talents, and aspirations. Yet for many of these children, their last journey is marked by difficulties that prevent them from accessing education, healthcare, safety, and opportunities to succeed,” she highlighted.
She reminded them of the reason for the gathering, saying it is for their commitment to changing the reality for children in The Gambia, “the UN Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC) had been signed and ratified by almost every nation on earth, including The Gambia in 1990, 35 years ago.”
CRC, she noted, emphasizes these rights of children to education, health, protection, and participation, but “Unfortunately, millions of children across the world remain voiceless in matters that affect their lives, to which The Gambia is not exempted.”
The First Lady disclosed that in rural communities, children often face challenges such as limited access to schools, safe drinking water, and healthcare services giving the example that a girl in a remote village may work miles just to fetch water instead of attending school while in the urban communities, the struggles may look different, but are no less significant environment.
Notwithstanding, the First Lady noted that the exhibition celebration was an opportunity for everyone to dive into the life journey of children from rural and urban communities in the Gambia, saying “Let us use their stories to guide our vision for a better future, a future that provides them with hope, opportunities and protection of their rights. Such a vision, I believe, can be achieved by advocating for the increased knowledge awareness and attainment of children’s rights in the Gambia.”
The UNICEF Representative in The Gambia, Ms. Nafisa Binte Shafique appreciated the gathering saying “Welcome to ‘Our World, Through Our Eyes: A Story of Childhood in The Gambia.’ An Exhibition that celebrates the realization of children’s rights in this beautiful country.”
Commemorating World Children’s Day, this year, she said “We celebrate 35 years since the signing of the UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child, or the CRC.”
She disclosed that CRC is not only the most widely ratified international convention, it is, above all, a solemn promise and commitment to every child, and a promise from the governments of the world, from the United Nations, and from every duty bearer, to uphold, protect and promote the rights of every child.
She, therefore, used the opportunity to thank the brilliant 20 young photographers from the Lower River Region, “this event and exhibition belongs to them,” and this exhibition is a testament to The Gambia’s achievements in realizing children’s rights.
She once again thanked and commended the government of The Gambia for its leadership and commitment to attaining this success while applauding their valued partners for their steadfast support and collaboration.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Karl Frederick Paul, stated that ‘Our World, Through Our Eyes: A Story of Childhood in The Gambia’ is more than an exhibition – it is a testament to the power of young voices and the transformative potential of children’s perspectives.
Each photograph, he expressed, “is a narrative, each panel a window into the lived experiences of Gambian children. They challenge us to truly listen – to hear their dreams, their concerns, vision for a better tomorrow. In a world that often silences youth, this exhibition is a powerful declaration: children have a right to be seen, to be heard, and to be understood.”
He reaffirmed that The United Nations remains unwavering in its commitment to supporting children’s holistic development.
