Speaking at a press conference recently, former treasurer of the Voice of the Young, Yassin Nyan said there is still a lot to be done in terms of respect for the rights of the child in the Gambia; adding that children are sexually abused (rape, incest, exploitation, sexual harassment etc),

She further went on to say physical punishment including corporal punishment in schools and homes, child labour and street selling are also among the violation of children rights in the Gambia.

She said there is need for the government and the adults in The Gambia to pay more attention in ensuring that children's rights are respected in the country.

"We demand the following changes; That the laws put in place be implemented to the fullest, the department of social welfare be strengthened to respond adequately to the Children's Act requirement, ensure that children who are not in schools are enrolled, promote the registration of children.

For his part Abdoulie Badjie, the Vice President of the Voice of the Young elaborated on the violation of Children's Rights that happen on a daily basis world wide. Badjie told the press that there are a lot of children who are child soldiers; adding that some children are not given adequate food and many of them go to bed hungry. He also indicated that several children are subjected to rape and sexual violence and are separated with their parents.

"We children can't accept that other children' rights are violated in this way; we want to see a change now"

He indicated that children are not only celebrating the 20th anniversary of the CRC, but also the tenth anniversary of world's children's' prize for the rights of children.

He noted that that the world children prize for the rights of children is intended to serve as a platform for educating children world wide about their rights and democracy and makes it possible for them to demand that those rights are respected by every one.

He stated that the rights of millions of children who participated in this competition were violatedin various forms.

He stated that this makes them feel that nothing is happening in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

For his part, Sadibou Mballow, a Voice Member also stated that this year, 23 million children world wide, have voted in the global vote which he said has decided on their "Decade Child Rights Hero".

He further stated that all their previous major prize laureates were candidates for the decade hero and the thirteen candidates according to him have all been doing great work for t children and their rights.

The Vice President of the Voice Abdoulie Badjie finally stated that children all over the world are holding a press conference to announce who the "Decade child Right Hero" is.

He therefore said on behalf of the participating children in the Gambia, "I am proud to present who the world children have elected as their Decade Child Rights Hero.

"Our first ever Decade Child Right Hero is Nelson Mandela and Graca Marcel of South Africa with 7.1 million votes", said Badjie.