Banjul, The Gambia – 9 July 2026
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) expresses deep concern over the increasing normalisation of child marriage in The Gambia, a practice that continues to deprive girls of their childhood, education, health, and fundamental human rights despite the country’s clear legal prohibition against the practice.
Child marriage remains one of the most pervasive forms of gender-based violence and discrimination affecting girls in The Gambia. While the country has made important legislative commitments to protect children, reports from communities, civil society organisations, and local stakeholders indicate that the practice continues to occur with alarming frequency, often under the guise of culture, tradition, religion, or economic necessity. The growing social acceptance of these unions undermines years of progress in advancing children’s rights and gender equality.
The Children’s Act, 2005, as amended, clearly defines a child as any person below the age of 18 and prohibits practices that threaten the welfare and development of children. Furthermore, the Women’s (Amendment) Act, 2015, criminalises child and forced marriage and establishes legal consequences for individuals who facilitate or participate in such marriages. These legal protections reflect The Gambia’s commitment to safeguarding children from harmful traditional practices.
Despite this legal framework, enforcement remains inconsistent. Cases of child marriage are often resolved within families or communities without intervention from state authorities. In many instances, perpetrators and facilitators face little or no accountability, creating an environment where the law exists on paper but fails to protect children in practice.
CFJ is particularly concerned by the increasing public discourse that seeks to legitimise child marriage by portraying it as culturally acceptable or religiously justified. Such narratives risk reversing hard-won gains in child protection and embolden those who seek to undermine laws enacted to protect the rights and dignity of children.
Child marriage has devastating and lifelong consequences. Girls subjected to early marriage are significantly more likely to leave school prematurely, experience domestic violence, suffer early and high-risk pregnancies, develop long-term health complications, and face economic dependency throughout adulthood. These outcomes not only violate individual rights but also hinder national development by perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
The persistence of child marriage places The Gambia in breach of several regional and international human rights obligations, including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). These instruments require States to take effective legislative, administrative, judicial, and educational measures to eliminate child marriage and protect children from harmful practices.
CFJ further notes that protecting children requires more than legislation. Sustainable change demands robust implementation of existing laws, strengthened child protection systems, increased public awareness, accessible reporting mechanisms, and greater collaboration between government institutions, traditional leaders, religious leaders, educators, civil society organisations, and local communities.
The normalisation of child marriage cannot be justified by custom, poverty, or social pressure. Every child has the right to education, health, protection from violence, and the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential. These rights are non-negotiable.
CFJ calls upon the Government of The Gambia to:
- Ensure the consistent enforcement of all laws prohibiting child marriage and prosecute those who facilitate or enter into marriages involving children.
- Strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies, social welfare officers, prosecutors, and the judiciary to effectively identify, investigate, and respond to cases of child marriage.
- Increase investment in child protection services, including shelters, psychosocial support, legal aid, and education programmes for girls at risk.
- Expand nationwide awareness campaigns that address harmful gender norms and misconceptions surrounding child marriage while promoting the rights of children.
- Work closely with traditional and religious leaders to reinforce that the protection of children is consistent with both national law and human rights principles.
- Improve data collection and reporting mechanisms to accurately monitor the prevalence of child marriage and measure progress toward its elimination.
CFJ also urges parents, guardians, community leaders, religious authorities, educators, and members of the public to reject practices that expose children to exploitation and lifelong harm. Protecting children is a collective responsibility that requires courage, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
The future of The Gambia depends on protecting its children—not sacrificing their rights through practices that have no place in a society committed to justice, equality, and human dignity.
End