As part of their relentless strides in raising awareness of women and school children on the ramifications of women trafficking and child labour, the Young Women Against Women Trafficking and Child Labour (YWAWTCL) recently organized a one-day workshop on the theme Stop Child Labour, No to Women Trafficking.

The workshop, held at Pope John Paul II Parish Hall in Banjul was, among others, aimed at creating awareness on the areas of support for street children, cases of women trafficking, the legal implications of child labour and women trafficking.

Delivering her opening remarks, the Executive Director of YWAWTCL, Ms. Mam Jarra Nyassi, described child labour as subjecting and exposing the child to physical and psychological trauma, which encumbers their physical and mental development. She added that children in poor countries are more prone to child labour and abuse due to low income of parents.

She pointed out that Africa bears the brunt of vices such as child trafficking, child labour, child prostitution, slavery, drug abuse among children and recruitment of child soldiers.

“According to ILO, 41% of African children between the ages of 5 and 4 are involved in some forms of economic activity as compared the 21% in Asia and 17% in Latin America. Child trafficking increases the rates of illiteracy, mortality and poverty in Africa,” she pointed out.