THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA environment for Civil Society Organizations working on children issues. Civil Social Organizations such as the Female Lawyers Association, Gambia (FLAG), Child Protection Alliance (CPA) and the Network against Gender Based Violence conduct radio programmes (radio talk shows and phone-in) to promote respect for the rights of women and children. In addition, every year, FLAG carries out sensitizations programmes in various schools and radio stations on the theme adopted for the International Women’s day. The Department of Social Welfare has received support from UNICEF for capacity building of child protection professionals and development of training manuals on child rights and child protection. In addition, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with UNICEF in 2005, developed a manual with the guidelines on the prevention of sexual offences in Gambian schools. UNICEF has also supported the Department of Social Welfare to establish and strengthen Community Child Protection Committees in communities across the country, to further the protection of children from all forms of violence and exploitation In its efforts to effectively combat child sexual abuse and exploitation, the Department of Social Welfare reviewed and updated its National Plan of Action Against the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children 2011-2015 in order to strengthen the protective environment for children. In 2015, the Department of Social Welfare validated the National Protection Strategic Plan and Action Plan with the support of UNICEF and also formed the National Child Protection Sub-Committee to coordinate child protection issues. The Criminal Code also criminalizes any form of sexual activity with children. All major police stations country wide have now created Child Welfare Units manned by trained Child Welfare Officers to address issues relating to children. The primary function of these units is to deal with minors who are endangered or in conflict with the law in ways which protect their rights. The Police Child Welfare Officers undergo continuous training on juvenile justice and administration, children`s rights, inclusive of international standards for the administration of juvenile justice and prevention of juvenile delinquency by the Government under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice, Department of Social Welfare with the collaboration of UNICEF and Civil Society Organisations. 95