inadequate border patrol and environmental and institutional gaps. Cross
border trafficking exists but the internal threat is higher. There is prostitution of
girls in mines and children are exploited in plantations in neighboring countries.
With regards to measures being taken, Mali has signed an agreement to return
children caught up in conflict/armed groups to reunify them with their families.
This helped in recovering a number of children. In 2012 a law was enacted to
address child trafficking in a holistic manner. Art 12 of this act stipulates a
punishment for perpetrators of child trafficking, in the form of prison sentence.
This has led to the conviction of nationals and foreigners who were engaged in
the act. Furthermore, 4 bilateral agreements have been signed with neighboring
countries to address cross border issues, including an agreement Mali signed
with Gabon against child trafficking. Additionally, there laws on child protection,
gender based violence and a national strategy against child marriage,
Guinea
It was noted that Guinea faces similar problems mentioned by the other
ECOWAS Member States. Children are exposed to sexual exploitation
because of poverty, the country has similar issues as Senegal does with Talibe
children. There is a lack of statistics with regards to children working in mines
in Guinea, however it was noted that children from Mali, Burkina Faso and
Senegal are engaged in mine work I Guinea. To address the various challenges
Guinea has signed various international child protection instruments. Among
the mechanisms put in place, the Procedure Manual of ECOWAS is used to
protect and reintegrate vulnerable migrant children. There is a Pilot project for
the protection of children on the move, to this effect, an MOU was signed with
UNICEF and WHO to reintegrate children who were returned from their route
to Europe. As a result of this initiative, 467 children were reintegrated.
Item 6: Presentation on cross border issues affecting children in
ECOWAS
Dr. Bolanle, from the ECOWAS Commission stated that Children move
either through regular means or irregular means. Some move accompanied
and other unaccompanied. However, by and large, children one the move are
vulnerable. Conflict plays a big role on children on the move and increases their
vulnerability. Among the various factors influencing children on the move
domestic workers is the issue that is seldom talked about. Children move
internally for domestic work in very early ages. At time they are sent by their
parents and at time they move by themselves.
There are various mechanisms aimed at addressing children on the move in
the ECOWAS region. Among them, there is an ECOWAS - ECASS Agreement
on trafficking. It was also mentioned that there is an institute of Social Services