On July 24, 2024, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare started a two-day staff training from Care Institutions on Migration and Child Protection at NaNA Conference Hall. The training brought together 30 participants within the Greater Banjul Area and was funded by UNICEF.
In her opening statement on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary Finance and Administration Naomi Williams spoke at length on the importance of the training, saying that training of residential care workers is crucial as it would help the participants provide high-quality care, ensuring the physical, emotional, and mental well being of residents. ” It would help workers understand and follow safety protocols, reducing the risk of violence and exploitation against children and promote staff compliance with regulations,” she stated. She further revealed that the government of the Gambia has undertaken several measures to protect children in residential care institutions, adding that key among them include laws and policies to safeguard children’s rights, such as the Children’s Act 2005, which aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
On her part, Shelter Manager Danty Kanji applauded the MoGCSW and UNICEF for organizing such an important training, noting that the training is a crucial step towards enhancing the capacity of the staff at the care institutions in the Gambia to address and manage the complex issues relating to child migration effectively.
The UNICEF Child Protection Officer, Marcus, assured participants of their unwavering support in protecting children. He encouraged them to take the training seriously and share best practices to attain the common goals.
Speaking on behalf of the Directorate of Children’s Affairs, Filly Nyassi, Social Welfare Officer, said social workers and other professionals, together with partner agencies, play a vital role in the protection of children. He asserted that assessing risk and protecting vulnerable children is difficult and demanding. “Conducting this training aims to ensure that migrant children receive the care, protection, and support they need,” he concludes. He called on the participants to take the training seriously and make the best use of the skills and knowledge assimilated during the two days of training.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Modou Sumareh, the Social Welfare Officer.
In her opening statement on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary Finance and Administration Naomi Williams spoke at length on the importance of the training, saying that training of residential care workers is crucial as it would help the participants provide high-quality care, ensuring the physical, emotional, and mental well being of residents. ” It would help workers understand and follow safety protocols, reducing the risk of violence and exploitation against children and promote staff compliance with regulations,” she stated. She further revealed that the government of the Gambia has undertaken several measures to protect children in residential care institutions, adding that key among them include laws and policies to safeguard children’s rights, such as the Children’s Act 2005, which aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
On her part, Shelter Manager Danty Kanji applauded the MoGCSW and UNICEF for organizing such an important training, noting that the training is a crucial step towards enhancing the capacity of the staff at the care institutions in the Gambia to address and manage the complex issues relating to child migration effectively.
The UNICEF Child Protection Officer, Marcus, assured participants of their unwavering support in protecting children. He encouraged them to take the training seriously and share best practices to attain the common goals.
Speaking on behalf of the Directorate of Children’s Affairs, Filly Nyassi, Social Welfare Officer, said social workers and other professionals, together with partner agencies, play a vital role in the protection of children. He asserted that assessing risk and protecting vulnerable children is difficult and demanding. “Conducting this training aims to ensure that migrant children receive the care, protection, and support they need,” he concludes. He called on the participants to take the training seriously and make the best use of the skills and knowledge assimilated during the two days of training.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Modou Sumareh, the Social Welfare Officer.
