Main problems faced by children in Gambia: Hamza Cham, CEO Sanna’s Foundation
Health
Access to health care is relatively good, but the lack of information and the poor quality of services reduces
its effectiveness. Gambian children, particularly girls, suffer from malnutrition and diseases such as malaria
and AIDS. These problems, particularly that of malnutrition, are less pronounced in urban areas. In 2010, for
example, there were twice as many underweight children under 5 years living in rural areas compared to
urban areas (respectively 22% in rural and 12% in urban areas).
In 2009, 10 000 women over 15 years were estimated to have AIDS in the Gambia. Only 32% of the poorest
women aged 15-24 years had an overall knowledge of AIDS in 2010. The risks of transmission to children are
therefore high and, in the absence of prevention effort and information, the worst is yet to come for many
Gambian children.
Female genital mutilation
Measures taken by the Gambian government to fight female genital mutilation are educational in nature and
are insufficient given the continuing traditions and cultural sensitivity regarding these practices. In the
absence of legal prohibition, the Gambia is one of the countries with the highest rates of female circumcision
(64% in 2010).
These practices vary by community. For example, of the nine main ethnic groups, seven practice mutilation
between birth and age 16. Among the Mandinkes and Sarakoles, 100% of girls are excised or mutilated.
These practices are more common in the Upper River region, but less common in urban areas and among
the more educated populations. In 2010, 71% of the population was still in favour of the practice.
Child marriages
Child marriages continue despite the adoption of the convention on the rights of the child by the Gambia
and the criminalization of forced marriage of girls aged less than16 years pursuant to the criminal code. This
phenomenon is more common in rural areas and among girls, who are sometimes as young as 12 years at
the time of marriage. A 2010 study noted that 7% of girls were married off at the age of 15 years and 36% at
age 18.
Trafficking and sexual exploitation
In Gambia, sexual exploitation, sex tourism and trafficking are common, particularly among girls. Despite the
criminalization of sexual abuse of minors, sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, more and
more children are being employed by the sex industry. Children begin working sometimes from the age of 12
years. Many are from poor families or have lost parental protection. In exchange for their services, the girls
receive payment of school or medical fees and other gifts.
A special force managed by the army has been put in place to combat sex tourism and to prevent children
from approaching areas used for prostitution. These activities often take place in urban hotels, although
there is a tendency tomove them to rural areas due to increased regulations by the hotels themselves.
However, no checks are performed and the practice of bribing (corruption) to obtain a girl is still common. It
should be noted that the Gambia is a country of origin for child trafficking and is not party to the 1980 Hague
Convention on the Civil Aspects of International child abduction.
Children and drugs
Many families cultivate marijuana to support themselves and many adolescents are therefore addicted.
Education
Only 28% of children among the 20%of the poorest and only 42% among the 20% of the richest attended
school in 2010. Girls are more severely affected, particularly in rural areas. However, education is free for
children aged 6-12 years, but this does not take into account the cost of school supplies, uniforms, meals,
examination fees, etc. Given the limited opportunities for children, the dropout rate is very high.
Street children
The population of street children is very high in the Gambia, particularly in border towns. They are
nicknamed “almodous” and 60% of them are from neighbouring countries. Government measures have
been adopted to reduce this phenomenon. The authorities take children to transit centers where they try to
return them to their families. There are, however, not enough resources to care for all the children, who,
moreover, resent this.
Many children thus still live and work in the street and remain vulnerable to adults and other children. They
are often malnourished, live half naked, are beaten, exploited and risk having unprotected sex. Poor families
often tend to entrust their children to a “wise man” or “marabout” to provide them with a Koranic
education. They thus inadvertently facilitate child trafficking without being aware of it. In fact, many of these
children are found on the streets begging alms for their teacher in exchange for room and board. Children
are abused if they do not bring in enough money.
Abuse
Despite punishment in cases of violence, including domestic and sexual abuse of children, abuse is
widespread in the Gambia. In 2010, 87% of child care givers believed that corporal punishment was
necessary to educate children.
As regards domestic violence, and given the high number of child marriages in the Gambia, it should be
noted that, in 2010, 71% of adolescents aged 15-19 years felt that a husband was justified in hitting his wife
under certain circumstances. Finally, it should be noted that children do not have adequate means of
recourse, protection, services or advice on the subject, and that perpetrators of crimes against children are
often not prosecuted or punished.
Death penalty for minors
Although in practice no child has been sentenced to death, and no execution has taken place under the
current government, the Gambian law does not prohibit the death penalty for minors.
Child labour
In Gambia, child labour is still common and, in spite of developments since 2010, 29% of girls and 20% of
boys are employed.
Discrimination
Despite the adoption of a law ensuring equality between girls and boys in June 2005, Gambian domestic law
permits and explicitly in corporate discriminatory Islamic laws vis-à-vis women as regards divorce, adoption,
inheritance, marriage and burial.
Orphaned children and the right to identity
The number of orphans is still high in the Gambia. UNICEF estimates that there were 72,000 orphans aged
between 0 and 17 in 2009. The birth registration rate in the Gambia is low: 52% among 20% of the poorest
sections of the population and 64% among 20% of the richest in 2010. Registration is vital in order to ensure
children’s rights and, in particular, schooling or the obtainment of a health care card.
Our efforts are a foundation for the needy is to eradicate 90% if not all this problem, that our beloved
brothers and sisters are facing night and day in the Gambia. Sannas Foundation with the support of you can
make this a thing of the past. Visit our web page today and extend your support to the Gambian children @
https://sites.google.com/site/sannasfoundationfortheneedy/home