Venue:                National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), Banjul, The Gambia
Dates:                 10–11 October 2025

Introduction

The Training of Journalists on Child Rights and Ethical Reporting of Child-Related Issues was jointly organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF The Gambia), the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), and the Gambia Press Union (GPU).

The two-day training brought together journalists, editors, and media practitioners from various outlets across The Gambia to strengthen their skills in child rights reporting, ethical standards, and legal awareness. It also aimed to enhance collaboration between the media and child rights actors to promote accountable, sensitive, and rights-based journalism that upholds the best interests of the child and reinforces the media’s role in advancing child protection and advocacy.

Key objectives included:

• Improving journalists’ understanding of international, regional, and national child rights frameworks (CRC, ACRWC, and The Gambia’s Children’s Act).
• Strengthening ethical and legal reporting standards, particularly in covering sensitive topics such as FGM/C, child abuse, and court cases.
• Promoting responsible reporting practices that balance public interest with privacy and protection.
• Encouraging the use of media as a tool for advocacy and awareness to advance children’s rights in The Gambia.

In his opening remarks at the Training of Journalists on Child Rights and Ethical Reporting of Child-Related Issues, Michael Gyan Nyarko, Deputy Executive Director, Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) emphasized IHRDA’s commitment to supporting the media as a key partner in advancing human rights:

 “The media plays a pivotal role in promoting and protecting human rights. When journalists report ethically and responsibly, they contribute directly to justice and accountability.”

He highlighted the significance of this collaboration with UNICEF and the Gambia Press Union (GPU), particularly in light of the upcoming Supreme Court case on the FGM/C ban.

The training underscores the shared mission to promote accurate, ethical, and child-sensitive journalism across The Gambia. It combined expert presentations, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, enabling participants to apply knowledge through real-life case analysis and story development. #IHRDA #ChildRights #HumanRights #EthicalReporting #MediaDevelopment #UNICEFGambia #GPU #FGMC #Justice #PressFreedom