Children on migration face exploitation, violence, UN says

Mcedo Primary School children performing a dance during World Children’s Day at Mcedo primary school in Mathare.[Wilberforce Okwiri,Standard]

Children on migration journeys continue to face unprecedented levels of violence, exploitation, and abuse.

A migration report revealed that millions of children are on the move across the globe, with dangerous routes posing significant threats to child migrants.

The report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Save the Children, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicates that as of 2020, 6.2 million international migrant children were reported in Africa.

“From January to October 2024, IOM tracked 28,578 child migrants along the Eastern Route, of whom 36 per cent were girls,” reads the report.

According to the report, 26 per cent of these children were unaccompanied.

In October 2024, the IOM reported 5,244 migrant children in Yemen, Djibouti, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

According to IOM, the Southern Route followed by child migrants towards South Africa poses greater risks to children since it is poorly understood.

“This gap in information leaves these children even more vulnerable to exploitation and harm,” the report states.

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However, the Northern and Eastern routes to Europe and the Middle East, respectively, are somewhat tracked.

“Whether heading East towards the Gulf, South towards Southern Africa, North towards Europe, or moving within the region, children face heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and abuse in various forms,” the report states.

According to the report, children are three times more likely than adults to suffer violence and abuse during migration. Many are detained or trafficked into forced labour and sexual exploitation.

The report indicates that many children are detained simply because of their or their parents’ irregular migration status, and their detention can last weeks, months, or even years.

“These and other violations of their human rights leave a long-lasting impact on their physical and mental health as well as their emotional wellbeing,” says IOM.

The organisations argued that detaining children is a violation of child rights and that it is not in their best interests.

Instead, they suggested the establishment of child-sensitive identification and screening procedures by governments to prohibit the detention of migrant children.

Frantz Celestin, IOM Regional Director for East, Horn, and Southern Africa, said stakeholders should ensure that children on the move have access to basic needs and specialised protection services tailored to address their specific needs, risks, and vulnerabilities in countries of transit, destination, and upon return home.

“The need to enhance cross-border cooperation among states, address the root causes of irregular migration, and enhance the resilience of children and their families,” said Celestin.

One of the proposed action points is to recognise the core principle of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which affirms that children on the move need protection and participate in decisions that affect them

While migration is a choice, the UN agency on migration stated that climate-induced disasters, conflict, and poverty continue to push people to leave behind the life they know in search of livelihood opportunities, safety, and dignified living.

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Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director, Eastern and Southern Africa said the Convention on the Rights of the Child, emphasize every child’s right to protection and care, including children on the move, at every stage of their journey.

“UNICEF is committed to supporting governments in building inclusive child protection systems that uphold the best interests of the child, especially unaccompanied and separated children,” said Kadilli.

The organisations acknowledged that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC) member states have developed regional child policies that among others include protection considerations for children on the move,

Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR Regional Director, East, Horn and Great Lakes Region called on governments, UN agencies, NGOs to create a safer environment for children who have left their home countries.

“Better protection for these children means facilitating their inclusion into national systems, such as in education and healthcare, while unlocking more opportunities for sustainable responses,” said Balde.

According to IOM, nearly 281 million people, out of which 35.5 million are children are migrants.

While migration is choice, the UN agency on migration stated climate-induced disasters, conflict, poverty continue to push people to leave behind the life they know in search of livelihood opportunities, safety and dignified living.

“It is essential to address the root causes of children’s vulnerabilities to risky migration by tackling risk factors at the individual, family, community, and structural levels,” said Yvonne Arunga, Save the Children Regional Director, East and Southern Africa Regional Office.

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