|
Momodou
Denmark
11733 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Dec 2006 : 01:01:41
|
Migration Policy In The Offing
By Amie Sanneh
The Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Technology Neneh MacDouall Gaye has indicated that there are plans to formulate and implement a migration policy. She said international migration has aggravated the population problems facing the country. SoS Gaye added that the 2003 Population and Housing census revealed that 7.2% of The Gambia’s Population is made up of immigrants.
According to SoS MacDouall Gaye, this influx of emigrants has placed increasing pressures on the social services and has reduced employment opportunities for Gambians. She said the Government recognizes the role migrants play in providing remittances and contributing to the economy. The communication secretary made this statement on Thursday while launching the UNFPA2006 report on population. The theme was “A passage to hope: Women and International Migration,” It was held at the Paradise Suites Hotel. Commenting on the report she said it is estimated that out of the 191 million migrants of the world, 95 million are women. She said these women contribute a great deal to the welfare of families and communities in their host countries. “Women migrants are engaged in the labour market in host countries in jobs ranging from domestic work to teaching and even prostitution,” she said. The SoS added that the report has shown that young people between 10 to 24 years account for about a third of all International Migrants. “They move because they are either unable to find work, continue their schooling or go about their daily lives with a reasonable expectation of safety and security. They migrate because they cannot find these conditions at home” she said.
SoS MacDouall Gaye described young migrants as vulnerable due to their youthful age, which she said, puts them at risk of abuse and exploitation.
She added, “This is particularly true about young girls who are more vulnerable to sexual abuse and other gender based forms of violence.” SoS Gaye posited that effort to combat Xenophobia, violence, exploitation and trafficking needs to be expanded and policies redefined to reflect the realities of migrants.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 107/2006, 1-3 December, 2006
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
Topic Locked
