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Health & Social Welfare Minister Vows To Protect Child Rights
Wednesday, 08 June 2011 15:16
(JollofNews) – The Minister of Health & Social Welfare Fatim Badjie said on Tuesday every child needs a preventive
environment that embraces all areas of social-where laws, services, behaviours and practice minimize children's susceptibility to risk as well as strengthen their own resilience.She was speaking to coordinators of the West Africa Network for the Protection of the Children at meeting which being from 6-10 June, 2011 at Paradise Suites Hotel, Kololi, The Gambia. The five-day event is jointly organized by the Swiss Foundation of the International Social Service (ISS), the Ministry of Health and
Social Welfare, and the Gambia-based Child and Environmental Development Association (CEDAG).Madam Fatim badjie said it is important to note that effective child protection depends to a large extend on changing the mindset of families and communities so that attitude, beliefs and practices that harm children will no longer be tolerated. ''The most effective child protection system is re-enforced by positive social consensus. Attempts to impose change from outside often lead to resistance.
Therefore initiatives to improve child protection systems are more effective when they are based on partnership and coalition such as the West Africa Network for Children on the move,'' she explained. She voiced strong commitment of the Gambia government to support initiatives of maximizing partnerships between national governments, civil society, the private sector, international NGO and bilateral and multilateral organizations. ''My ministry will always encourage the development of common approach to programmes and advocacy and ensure that the best effective systems for protecting children are established for the protection of all children in The Gambia.''
She expressed confidence in the ability of the country's Children's Act 2005, the CRC and the ACRWC to provide parents centre-stage in their children development. ''These legal instruments both oblige States to respect, protect and support parents so that they are able to give their children appropriate guidance and director as they grow up to adulthood.''
Also in attendance at the regional meeting was ISS top brass, respectively the Director of ISS Mr. Rolf Wildmer, the Head of Programme Olivier Geissier, and Programme Coordinator Michele Demierre. The meeting also witnesses the participation of Country Coordinator from Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger and Senegal.
Written by Abdoulie John
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