The alliance for the protection of children in The Gambia has called on government to discourage the habit of politicians using minors in their political campaigns and rallies.
The Child Protection Alliance (CPA) says the Government of The Gambia has no excuse in fulfilling its commitment to Gambian children.
“We want to remind the government through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare of its duty as enshrined in Article 66(a/b) of the Children’s Act 2005; towards the safeguarding, protection and promotion of the welfare of children and to ensure that Local Government Authorities and other government agencies liaise with one another in matters concerning children,” said a recent statement by CPA.
The government has no excuse in fulfilling its commitment to children, especially in this campaign period, it added, calling on Gambians to report suspected cases of child abuse.
As campaign activities intensify for the Local Government elections slated for 15 April and 20 May this year, CPA has also enjoined political parties and candidates to refrain from involving children in their political campaigns and rallies.
“The Child Protection Alliance (CPA) wishes to remind all candidates and political parties against the mobilisation of children for campaign activities in the upcoming Local Government Elections,” the statement said, adding that candidates and political parties must “respect the rights of children and desist from any form of violation of those rights” during the campaign activities.
However, CPA noted, it is evident that candidates and political parties in The Gambia “have been mobilizing children for campaigns and other political activities” during elections.
It added that in recent times, it had seen photos of children in political gears, especially on the social media platforms, notably during the 2021 presidential elections.
“It is important to note that the election campaigns affect children both directly and indirectly,” it said, adding: “Elections provide an opportunity to shape their civic education, to learn about democratic values; these must not be used as basis of using children for political purposes.
“A child is not a tool, not a decoration, but a citizen with rights. Their rights are violated if they are exploited or used otherwise for political gain.
“Children’s rights to participation in expressing their views concerning their rights and welfare as enshrined in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC) and Article 17 of the Children’s Act 2005, must not in any way be misconstrued to promote children’s participation in political campaigns; even if it is unintentionally done or due to the lack of awareness, a child is not a tool or a decoration, and most importantly, not someone’s property.
“The child is an independent citizen entitled to rights. The child is an individual whose dignity must be respected, and as a particularly sensitive and vulnerable target group, it is the responsibility of adults to respect and protect them in their daily lives and also during political campaigns.
“Candidates and political parties must understand that they have an obligation to respect the rights of children and protect them from any form of abuse and exploitation. Therefore, mobilising children for campaign activities is in violation of their rights and could expose them to other forms of abuse and exploitation.”
CPA further calls on the Independent Electoral Commission to take action in instances of violation of electoral laws relating to the children.
“We also call on the Civil Society Coalition on elections and the Elections Watch Committee (EWC) to closely monitor campaign activities and flag irregularities, especially with issues of children as appropriate,” the statement appeals, saying: “Security agents must also be on alert to provide protection for children during campaign activities. The Mobile Traffic Unit of The Gambia Police Force must ensure the safety and security of children during this period, especially having children onboard overloaded vehicles, sometimes on vehicle tops, and must not fall short of their duties and responsibilities in this regard.”
