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gambia6005
Canada
79 Posts |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 19:26:33
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| Thanks, gambia6005, I downloaded it. I think it will be a tough lecture. Once I saw a very dubious scene on my visit to Gambia, but unfortunately couldn't interfere. |
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molly75
United Kingdom
86 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2006 : 17:06:46
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| I read this article and it is just so shocking to think that tourists could take advantage of the Gambian good nature. I have never seen anything of this nature in the Gambia, but maybe i need to open my eyes more!!??!! These children need to be protected and it's everyones job to make sure this happens. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2006 : 23:02:20
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UNICEF is very concerned with the rights of a child. A child should have a voice within the family and be considered and listened to. A child should have a name and identity. A child should have an education. And so on.......
The families job is protect a child, especially the mother. It is very shocking that Gambian families would offer up a child for abuse in exchange for dalasi. However poor a family is this should just not happen.
In Uk the age of childhood varies: 11 for secondary school, 16 for smoking and sex, 17 for driving, 18 for drinking and voting.As a teacher I would like to see 18 considered the age we become an adult and with that become priviledges and responsibilities. Before that sex, smoking, driving and drinking would be illegal. It would be consistent and it would protect vunerable people.
In Gambia is there an age of consent? I have read that a girl can marry at 12 or 13...in other words she 'belongs to a man' from that age. At what age is he permitted to have sex with her?
Tourists should be aware that if they see a child begging or selling then they arent in school. Rather than buy from them perhaps you could be their pen friend and then sponsor.
A child should have a powerful voice that is listened too. MOst children tell us the truth if we will listen. So if a child says the are being abused in anyway, they probably are. In the Gambia, if money is involved in the grooming, the family need to be strong and refuse the money and keep their child safe. ALso they should report the person to the police and get them deported.
If you are poor and hungry I know this is very difficult, but children are our future and we need to protect them for long term gain. What is a meal compared to a childs mental health long term?
I do appreciate that is easy for me, because I am not hungry, nor ever likely to be. I have compassion for families that have been tempted. But I hope more and more people will realise it isnt a soloution. It cures one problem, but creates many more.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2006 : 12:28:45
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gambia6005, thank you for posting this, i just read it.
ONE  it is in the hands of the gambian government to make a aware of the situation and put into practice laws, rules and reguatlions.
if the police turn a blind eye or take bribes this disgusting trade will happen.
TWO, stop the non gambians being there, it is true that some of the prostitutes on the streets are from other african countries and they give gambia a bad name.  |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2006 : 13:28:55
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I found some things in the study I also witnessed in Gambia, things that make it difficult for a child to report abuse. Children actually have no voice in the traditional family, and it is also true that the 'culture of silence' about sexual issues makes it difficult to talk about anything on this behalf (one example is the only AIDS bill I saw in the Kombo, saying "My friend with AIDS is still my friend". A nice gesture to those who are infected, but not very helpful for prevention. Anyway there is an AIDS TV series now on GRTS which gives more information).
'Terre des Hommes' made a lot of good proposals. I also see that the government should take action, but as long as bribery is so virulent I fear the executive won't do much about the problem.
To stop child abuse the authorities, if not for humanitarian reasons, should at least keep in mind that once Gambia has an image as a place where paedophiles can commit their crimes openly, its reputation as a 'normal' tourist destination will sink rapidly and the losses will be great. Even now Gambia has a somewhat dubious image for all the (male and female) prostitution going on.
Thailand and the Philippines demonstrate how desastrous this can be for a country's tourist industry. For Thailand, it took them years and a lot of money to repair the bad image and bring 'decent' tourists back to the country. The Philippines, because of their reputation as paedophiles' paradise are 'dead' as a normal tourist destination. This can also happen to Gambia. Who would tell his friends he is going to such a place for holidays, and risk being looked upon as a paedophile? |
Edited by - serenata on 02 Oct 2006 13:33:34 |
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