Gambia commemorates International Day of the Girl
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The Gambia on Friday joined the the world in celebrating International Day of the Girl which is is dedicated to advocating for girls' rights and addressing the unique challenges they face.
This year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future” highlights the urgent need for action to ensure that every girl can achieve her full potential.
UNICEF representative to Gambia, Ms. Nafisa Binte Shafique, noted that the West African country has made significant strides in its investment in equal rights and opportunities, particularly in education and gender equality.
She said: “Girls' enrolment in school has improved and year after year, girls keep strengthening their attainments. Just this year, 791 girls scored 5 credits and above, including English and Mathematics in the 2024 WASSCE results.”
Ms. Shafique said the decline in child marriage in the past 10 years in some parts of the country, and the recent success in preventing the proposed repeal of the law banning FGM, sends a signal of hope for the protection of girls from all forms of abuse and violence.
She said girls are repositioning themselves as leaders and beacons of hope for their communities, adding. “Today more than ever, we must come together to build on these milestones.”
Ms. Shafique said despite the progress made, unfortunately, 1 in 4 young women were married before the age of 18; 50% of girls below the age of 15 undergo FGM and many more continue to be denied their basic rights to education, health, nutrition, hygiene, and protection.
Too often, she said, they face discrimination, violence, and unequal opportunities simply because they are girls.
Ms. Shafique said girls with disabilities face compounded discrimination due to both their gender and disability, leading to exclusion from essential services, increased vulnerability to violence, and limited participation in decision-making.
This intersectional discrimination hinders their potential and requires targeted interventions to ensure we leave no girl behind,she pointed out.
Ms. Shafique said UNICEF and the UN family remain committed to working with the Government and all partners to ensure the protection of girls and the safeguarding of their rights.
“As we reflect on the challenges girls face, let us commit to be part of the solution. We encourage everyone to advocate for policies and services that support girls’ education, health, and empowerment. Let us build the capacity of every duty bearer including parents, teachers, religious leaders, service providers, and others to ensure an enabling and protective environment for the girls, where they can thrive."
This guarantees the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Green, Recovery-focused National Development Plan 2023-2027 of The Gambia, Ms Shafique said.
“On this day and beyond, as girls tell us about their vision for the future, we must listen and we must all work together to provide a safe space for girls to thrive in all sectors including in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, without the fear of discrimination, unfair wages, cyberbullying, abuse and exploitation."
-0- PANA MSS/MA 11Oct2024
