By: Sainabou Sambou
Legal experts, human rights advocates, and senior justice sector officials have issued a strong call for deeper collaboration, heightened public awareness, and stricter enforcement of child protection laws to guarantee meaningful access to justice for women, girls, and children across The Gambia.
The appeal came during the Justice Forward Fireside Chat, an event designed to bridge the gap between legal frameworks and everyday realities for vulnerable groups. Founder of the Jali Young Women Justice and Legal Imagine Initiative, Dr. Satang Nabaneh, described the program as a platform to equip young women with the knowledge and confidence to assert their rights.
“Justice should not only exist in laws, textbooks, and courtrooms but should be meaningful in people’s everyday lives, particularly for women and girls,” Nabaneh said. Inspired by the Mandinka word for oral historians who speak truth to power, Jali seeks to reclaim legal spaces for young women and foster direct engagement with justice sector leaders.
The initiative pairs high school and university students with law school mentors for peer learning and hands-on experience. Over the past week, fellows visited key institutions including the Gambia Bar Association, Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG), the Office of the Chief Justice, the Ministry of Justice, the National Assembly, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa. Participants discovered diverse career paths in the justice sector beyond traditional roles such as lawyers and judges.
UNICEF The Gambia’s Country Representative, Nafisa Binte Shafique, praised the country’s legislative progress, citing the Children’s Act and the establishment of child-friendly courts. However, she highlighted implementation as the biggest hurdle.
“Justice for children begins at home and not only in courtrooms,” Shafique emphasized. She recounted the tragic case of a young girl who died after being raped and denied access to abortion services, describing it as a profound failure of justice from the moment her rights were violated.
Shafique pointed to the trauma inflicted on child survivors who must repeatedly recount their experiences to multiple institutions. She advocated for a coordinated, multisectoral, child-centered system in which children tell their stories once and agencies collaborate effectively. Many survivors abandon cases due to repeated adjournments, transport costs, and poor communication, she noted. Empowering children with rights awareness and strengthening referral systems are critical steps forward.
The UNICEF representative also called on the media to actively challenge harmful norms around child marriage, female genital mutilation, and gender-based violence while promoting child rights.
Commissioner Jainaba Johm, Vice Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, outlined the Commission’s mandate to investigate complaints, recommend remedies, summon officials, and monitor compliance with international obligations. The body prioritizes children’s rights, viewing their protection as foundational to all human rights.
Johm detailed the Commission’s work, including prison visits, engagement with the National Assembly and Presidency, training for security officers, and operation of regional offices. Despite challenges such as limited funding and resistance from some state institutions, she urged young people to report violations and act as the Commission’s “eyes and ears.”
President of the Gambia Bar Association, Anna Njie, inspired the young fellows by sharing her own journey and the importance of mentorship. She stressed that passion, advocacy, public education, and strategic litigation are vital tools for advancing women’s and girls’ rights. Njie highlighted FLAG’s successful court case that drove reforms to the Women’s Act and improved matrimonial protections.
