About 52 women on Friday benefited from a day's sensitisation on teenage pregnancy, at a ceremony held at Faraba Bantang in the Kombo East District of the Western Region. The forum was organised by Girls Assembly of Kombo East, an organisation that operates in the area and aimed at promotion and protecting of the rights and welfare of children in The Gambia.

Kaira Nyining Federation, affiliated to Child Fund The Gambia, funded the sensitisation forum.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the manager of the Kaira Nyining Federation, Ebrima Sanneh, commended Girls Assembly of Kombo East for coming up with such an initiative and assured of the office's full support. He noted the importance of the forum and said the development and protection of the child should be everybody's priority. "Teenage pregnancy is alarming; therefore, everybody should stand firmly to fight against it," he added.

Explaining some of the factors responsible of teenage pregnancy, Sanneh linked the phenomenon to lack of parental care, poverty among other issues. He went on posit that most of the school drop-out (girls) end up being victims of teenage pregnancy. Therefore, he believes that the forum would avail the participants the opportunity to come up with recommendations and immediate solutions, while marking the significant role of parents in all this.

The Child and Youth coordinator of Kaira Nyining Federation, Lamin Darboe, underscored the importance of the forum. He said the fight against teenage pregnancy is challenging and requires greater commitment and dedication. According to him, the activity aimed to sensitise girls within the age of 15 and 24, on the dangers of teenage pregnancy. He informed that five communities and associations were targeted and they include: Kafuta, Sohm, Giboro, Kuloro and Faraba Bantang Community Association.

Other speakers included the principal of Faraba Bantang Basic Cycle School, Kemo Bah; Tida Jallow; Aminata Darboe and Karamo Jatta. They all hailed Girls Assembly and called for collective efforts to eradicate teenage pregnancy. Fatoumata Jallow, the chairperson of Girls Assembly, chaired the programme.