ACERWC African Committee of Experts on the Rights & Welfare of the Child Figure 8 - Source: UNICEF West and Central Africa.403 Exposure of children on the move to child labour is also correlated to broader legal frameworks within the countries in relation to child labour. In West Africa, for instance, child labour among children in the move is common in several urban areas. This is against the backdrop of high levels of child labour in the region more generally (see Figure 8). 5.5 Child Abuse and Torture Physical violence against children is also a reoccurring issue. Indeed, 88% of children on the move between 14 and 17 years of age experienced physical violence according to a 2017 survey.404 Around 82% of all events have been reported to have happened in Libya, followed by Algeria (3%), and Niger (2%).405 Physical violence could be perpetuated by traffickers or officers of the country itself. The story of the 17 year-old boy from Gambia explains the situation, he satets: “In Burkina Faso and Niger at checkpoints, the police beat me, I was scared, they wanted money. I didn’t have the money they asked for and I tried to offer less. They beat me before they let me go”.406 In West Africa, the practice of the so-called Confiage (broadly translated as delegation of care) also raises some concerns with respect to child abuse. Confiage is widely practiced in the region; according to UNICEF, for instance, “an estimated 80% of urban households in Guinea host children from their extended family”.407 Traditionally, children are entrusted with relatives or as in some countries such as Senegal with religious leaders to advance their education. However, changes in the socio-economic landscape have made children more vulnerable to exploitation 403 404 405 406 407 UNICEF West and Central Africa bureau. Child labour, migration and trafficking. https://www.unicef.org/wcaro/overview_6445.html International Organization for Migration (IOM). 2017. Flow Monitoring Surveys: The Human Trafficking and Other Exploitative Practices Indication Survey. P4. As above. International Organization for Migration (IOM). 2017. Flow Monitoring Surveys: The Human Trafficking and Other Exploitative Practices Indication Survey. P54 UNICEF West and Central Africa bureau. Child labour, migration and trafficking. https://www.unicef.org/wcaro/overview_6445.html 74