As Gambians joined the rest of the world to celebrate the International Day of the Girl, calls are intensifying for decision makers to invest in girl to usher in the next generation of girls that are bent on participating in the country’s development process.
“Investing in the well-being of girls should be a priority of every nation,” Children’s Parliament Deputy Speaker Adama Demba said in a statement delivered at a “All Girls” forum which was held on Wednesday at Paradise Suites Hotel, Kololi.
Today’s celebration comes at a time when rights of girls and the girl child are being challenged on daily basis, prompting many campaigners to push back against attempts made by some prominent Gambians to revoke a legislation, banning female genital mutilation (FGM).
“We can invest in girl well-being by supporting teenage girls who are parenting,” she added while sounding the alarm bell on the need to provide guidance for girls.
She then added: “I am calling on all policy-makers to involve girls in their leadership portfolio.”
For the Founder and CEO of the non-profit The Woman Boss Awamary Lowe-Khan, it is very important to remind policy makers, community leaders of the need to invest in young girls.
She further stated that an educated girl will more likely follow the same path and educate her children.
The Director of Children’s Affairs, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, expressed similar sentiments and called on policy makers to pay attention to the rights of girls.
In her element, Bintou HK Fatty went on to call out those who are trying to “rollback progress” and curtail the rights of the girl.
“There is an urgent need for increased attention, resources mobilisation,” she added while indicating that development partner must move beyond reaffirming commitments.
“We need to pay attention to the priority needs of girls during programme planning and implantation,” she said.
Last but not least, UNICEF Country Rep. Mariavittoria BALLOTTA said in many countries UNICEF will not have the opportunity to hold a forum with such a magnitude.
She commended Gambian girls for performing successfully in schools and urged them to continue on the path to glory.
