A Task Group which eventually become The Child Protection Alliance in The Gambia was established on 26th April 2001 following a series of meetings and a panel discussion on child abuse issues instigated by UNICEF, The Department of Social Welfare and BAFROW.



Principles of the Child Protection Alliance



We, as the members of the Child Protection Alliance, hereby agree on certain fundamental principles, on which we base our work:



1. The work of the CPA is based on the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and the International Labour Organisation Conventions 138 and 182. All CPA programmes and activities, as well as those of member organisations, must be in line with the articles of these conventions.

2. A child is any person under the age of 18.

3. All children, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, wealth, family situation, nationality or other status, have the right to equal protection.

4. Children should be protected from all forms of abuse and exploitation.

5. All people, both individually and through their institutions, should understand, promote and protect the rights of children. Anyone suspecting or witnessing a case of abuse or exploitation of a child should report it to the proper authorities (Police, Department of Social Welfare).

6. It is the ultimate responsibility of Government to guarantee children's rights as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

7. The child, due to his or her physical and mental immaturity, is vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, and therefore needs special safeguards and care.

8. Multi-sectoral collaboration between CPA member organisations lays the foundation for a common understanding and commitment to the promotion and protection of child rights