By: Haruna Kuyateh
Members of the Children National Assembly – The Gambia (CNAG) in collaboration with the National Youth Council (NYC) on Wednesday organized a Town Hall and Knowledge Exchange on Disability Inclusion for newly elected CNAG members and 50 community representatives.
The Town Hall meeting, funded by UNICEF under the theme Inclusive Communities: Empowering Every Child, was held in Kerewan, North Bank Region.
Speaking at the event, Alieu Jaiteh from the Gambia Federation of Disabled Associations highlighted the importance of supporting persons with disabilities, in line with the 2021 Disability Act. As the umbrella body for people with disabilities, he noted that their mandate is to collaborate with the government and stakeholders to advance policy formulation and enforcement as stipulated in the national constitution, ensuring the safety and security of their members.
Mr. Jaiteh commended the government for the formulation of the Disability Act, which demonstrates a commitment to promoting the rights to education, health, and protection against all forms of violations.
The outreach program was aimed at raising awareness and encouraging persons with disabilities to develop self-confidence in pursuing education and skill development. He also called on parents and communities to adopt positive attitudes and create space for inclusive participation in decision-making, education, and skill acquisition.
Jaiteh pointed out several environmental barriers hindering the welfare of persons with disabilities, including the lack of easy accessibility to schools, sanitary and health facilities, transportation systems, and sign language services.
He urged stakeholders to be proactive and advocates for change, ensuring that the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities are protected and enhanced.
Mariama Sima of the National Youth Council reiterated her institution’s open-door policy to work with the Gambia Federation of Disabled Associations and CNAG to raise public awareness on the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
The outreach program also aimed to encourage community action and mobilize local authorities, schools, businesses, and families to implement inclusive practices. It sought to strengthen partnerships and facilitate collaboration between local government, NGOs, and advocacy groups to enhance the enforcement of disability rights.
Hon. Njieyo Gaye, a CNAG member from Ngain Sanjal, and Hon. Saihou Jallow, a teacher at Kerewan Lower Basic School, emphasized the need for parents to be more supportive of persons with disabilities.
