The Speaker of The Gambia’s National Assembly, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has pledged stronger legislative action to protect children following talks with a senior United Nations official in Banjul.

Mr Jatta said the rights and welfare of children, women and girls remain a top priority for lawmakers, as the country continues efforts to address violence and abuse against minors.

He made the remarks on Monday at the National Assembly complex while receiving a United Nations delegation led by Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children.

The delegation included officials from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), led by its representative in The Gambia, Nafisa Binte Shafique.

The high-level meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the Gambian legislature, with discussions centred on how parliament currently responds to child rights violations and how legal frameworks could be improved.

Dr Maalla M’jid told lawmakers that protecting children in today’s society requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach, warning that violence against children cannot be tackled by any single institution acting alone.

She called on the National Assembly to use its constitutional authority to ensure that child protection laws are not only passed but properly implemented and adequately funded.

Speaking during the visit, Mr Jatta said the National Assembly was committed to reviewing existing legislation and introducing measures to safeguard vulnerable populations.

“We recognise the importance of protecting our children. Parliament will continue to ensure that laws are not just enacted but effectively implemented,” he said.

According to UN agencies, violence against children remains a major global concern, with long-term consequences for health, education and national development.

The meeting comes as The Gambia continues reforms aimed at strengthening child protection systems and aligning national laws with international conventions on the rights of the child.

By Adama Makasuba