The Gambia Government and UNICEF signed a Country Programme of Cooperation 2002 – 2006, which was launched in March 2002. The Rights Promotion and Protection Programme is one of the programmes for implementation under the said Country Programme of Cooperation.

Since the launching of the Country Programme of Cooperation, the Department of State for Justice and National Assembly Matters has been coordinating the Rights Promotion and Protection Programme. It has also been responsible for the implementation of legislative and institutional reforms geared towards the promotion and protection of rights of children in The Gambia.

As part of Government’s commitment to improve the status of children in The Gambia as well as fulfilling its international obligations, the Child Rights Unit was set up under the Department of State for Justice. In December 2002 the Government of The Gambia through the Department of State for Justice in collaboration with UNICEF contracted Consultants to review all laws relating to children in The Gambia so as to harmonize them with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child both of which The Gambia ratified. The result was a Children’s Bill which was drafted in line with the CRC and ACRWC.

Between February and May 2004, two validation workshops were held on the Children’s Bill. The first was held for the Bench and Bar and the second for Children, Youth and Civil Society Organizations, some National Assembly Members and Government Department.

Both workshops were held as a form of consultation with all stakeholders to ensure not only the awareness raising on the content of the document, but also to incorporate any inputs necessary to improve the quality of the Children’s Bill.

A cabinet paper is currently being drafted on the Children’s Bill, thereafter with the approval of cabinet the process to have the Bill enacted at the national Assembly would be commenced.

Also as part of Government’s commitment to improve the status of Children in The Gambia, the Government through the Department of State for Justice in July 2002 sought technical assistance from UNICEF to develop a concept paper on the setting up of a proposed National Commission on Children. A consultancy was carried out and concluded in October that year. The purpose of the consultancy was to review literature on the subject including the Gambia’s Initial Report to the UN Children’s Committee and the concluding observations of the said Committee.

The Country situation was also looked at which justified the need for a Children’s Commission in The Gambia. Key stakeholders from the Government and NGOs were interviewed and consulted on the need for and the most appropriate type of a National Commission on Children. By the end of the consultancy a concept paper was prepared which included four possible options on the form the Commission would take. All stakeholders were sent copies of the concept paper for their comments on the most appropriate option on the type of Commission compatible with our national situation. Once all the comments have been received a Cabinet paper would be drafted to inform Cabinet accordingly.

It is important to note that between 2002 and 2004 the Government of The Gambia through the Child Rights Unit Department of State for Justice have sensitised or trained over three hundred professionals including lawyers, Magistrates, Health workers, Teachers, youth workers, Cadis, national Assembly Members, on the Rights and responsibilities of Children in The Gambia. These awareness raising activities were done in connection to their various works as they relate to Children.

The commitment of the Government of The Gambia on issues relating to Children has over the past couple of year been manifested not only in the mass awareness creation campaign on the rights and responsibilities of Children, but also in its attempt and move towards legislative and institutional reform to cater for the complete welfare of Children in this Country. This commitment is unwavering and the drive to achieve more for Children is ever growing.