Mapping Children on the Move within Africa
and even trafficking as they are seen as an economic commodity.408 Several local and regional
organisations have called for stricter regulations to be introduced in this respect.
5.6 Sexual Exploitation
Children are subject to abuse including in areas where they are supposed to be protected.
In 2007, a survey conducted by the charity organization World Vision estimated that 1.4 million
children displaced by conflict in the Great Lakes region have experienced some form of sexual
abuse.409 In the years that followed, several reports, including by the United Nations, showed how
different groups, including UN peacekeepers have engaged in sexual activities involving minors
(see Figure 9). 410
As displacements take place, displaced children can also be a target of predatory behavior.
Indeed, scarce resources for displaced populations, including children, may result in “commercial
and exploitative sex as a means of income generation to meet basic needs”.411 The lack of support
systems for children have also been weakened by conflict resulting in children being more
vulnerable to sexual predators.
Source: United Nations Data 412
5.7 Trafficking, smuggling and Exploitation
Trafficking, smuggling and exploitation in its different forms are common occurrences. The
situation is worse for unaccompanied children who may face multiple risks during movement. For
example, in the case of smuggling the children are at the mercy of the smuggler or they may be
kidnapped and subjected to violation of their rights. Kidnapped children as pointed out earlier may
face the risk of sexual exploitation or being subjected to modern day slavery.
Surveys conducted on experiences of children travelling in North Africa indicates that 8 of 10
408
409
410
411
412
ENDA Not dated. Migrations, confiage et trafic d’enfants en Afrique de l’Ouest.
http://www.endatiersmonde.org/eja/bur-int/docs/jeuda_106.doc
IRIN News. Child Sexual Abuse Widespread in camps. 27 February 2007.
Last accessed: 29 May 2018. http://www.irinnews.org/report/70426/great-lakes-%E2%80%98childsexual-abuse-widespread-camps%E2%80%99
Allegations included peace keepers in the DRC (MONUSCO) - and the CAR
Limo, I. 2016. Prevention of and Response to Conflict related sexual Violence, Exploitation and Abuse by
Peacekeepers in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. ACCORD Conflict Trends, 2016/1.
Last accessed: 2 June 2018. http://www.accord.org.za/conflict-trends/prevention-response-conflictrelated-sexual-violence-exploitation-abuse-peacekeepers-great-lakes-region-africa/
UN. Conduct in UN Field Missions. https://conduct.unmissions.org/table-of-allegations
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