Gov’t allocates D4M for vulnerable children, vows to probe child street begging
The government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social welfare, has allocated D4 million to support vulnerable children, as authorities move to investigate the growing concern over children seen begging on the streets and around traffic lights.
The disclosure was made during the Mansa Kunda ministerial engagement featuring the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Fatou Kinteh, where members of the public raised concerns over children being exposed to street begging and possible exploitation.
Responding to concerns raised about the issue, Bintou H.K. Fatty, Director of Children at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, said the government is already implementing interventions aimed at strengthening vulnerable families so that children are better protected and do not have to depend on street begging.
According to her, the D4 million allocation is the first of its kind in the country’s history specifically targeted at vulnerable children.
“We have a lot of pro-poor intervention. As we speak for the first time in the history of The Gambia, D4 million is allocated to vulnerable children that we support,” she stated.
The intervention, she explained, is intended not only to provide immediate support but also to strengthen families economically.
Fatty explained that vulnerable families would be supported to build their capacity, including through petty trading, so that they can meet the basic needs of their children.
The disclosure came after a member of the public raised concern about children who are regularly seen begging on the streets, particularly at night and around traffic lights.
The concern triggered a commitment from the minister to investigate the situation before deciding on appropriate interventions.
For her part, Minister Fatou Kinteh assured her ministry’s commitment to working with the police and social workers to visit locations where children are reportedly begging, to establish what is happening and determine the magnitude and root causes of the problem.
She disclosed that some reports had already reached the ministry about children being seen around streetlights with their parents, with concerns that some could be forced into begging.
“We can’t just embark on an intervention if we don’t know what’s happening and the magnitude of the situation,” she said, adding that authorities would visit the sites and assess the situation.
She further disclosed that the National Child Protection Committee, which brings together multiple sectors, is also engaged in addressing child protection concerns.
The Child and Environment Association would conduct an assessment to determine why children are begging and guide subsequent interventions, the Minister added.
The issue of children in vulnerable circumstances was also linked to the government’s broader social protection programmes. Officials said social welfare interventions, including cash transfers to vulnerable families, are intended to help parents meet the needs of their children and reduce the circumstances that could push children onto the streets.
Minister Kinteh stressed that protecting children from exploitation cannot be left to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare alone, but requires the involvement of other stakeholders.
Source: The Point
