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UNICEF and migration
UNICEF, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, takes the position that the impact of migration on children, adolescents and women must be seen in the broader context of poverty, regional conflict, gender issues and children’s rights.
UNICEF is committed to protecting children the world over, including the millions of children who are affected by migration. With interagency cooperation between the United Nations, government and civil society partners, UNICEF provides leadership at the country and global levels in developing evidence-based, action oriented policy to secure the basic rights of children, adolescents and women affected by migration.
UNICEF is particularly concerned with reducing the often severe social costs of migration and remittances for children in developing countries, and engages in local capacity-building efforts and policy dialogues aimed at generating social protection measures and legislative reforms that in UNICEF’s view are fundamental to the realisation of the rights of affected children and women as well as to effective development.
Migration in context: a multidimensional perspective is crucial to securing the well-being of children and women affected by migration processes
International migration has grown exponentially in recent decades. Globalization and economic development have benefited from migration trends while at the same time fuelling them. Today, over 214 million migrants live outside their country of birth, and women make up nearly half of all migrants around the world.
Children are affected by migration on multiple levels: when they are left behind by one or both migrating parents, in migrating with parents (or born abroad), or when they migrate alone.
Migrant children, who are crossing borders in greater numbers, face serious risks at every stage of the migration process. Children and women, especially those migrating without documentation, are vulnerable to trafficking, abuse and exploitation. In countries of transit and destination, migrants and their families often find themselves victims of discrimination, debilitating poverty and social marginalization. The millions of undocumented migrants often have difficulty accessing educational and basic social services, and must live in fear of arrest and repatriation.
In countries of origin, a growing number of children are left behind by one or both parents. While remittances (funds sent home to the country of origin) may help reduce poverty and spur economic development, the effects of “brain drain” and parental absence can take their toll. Children and women left behind must frequently take on full household responsibilities and endure social stigmatization. UNICEF country studies also suggest that children and adolescents left behind may be at greater risk for drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, psycho-social dysfunction and criminal behaviour.
Documents and publications
Latest news
The Road to Pratolino
Global Consultation on Social Policy, Equity, Rights and Development
21-24 Feb 2012
Migration, Development and Children Left Behind
Rodolfo de la Garza
This working paper examines the relationship between migration and development from a multi-faceted perspective.
Children, Adolescents and Migration
Rhea Saab, Bela Hovy and Rogel Nuguid
Cooperation between developing countries has sought to develop and exchange resources, technology and knowledge on how to address the needs of those impacted by migration.
Mainstreaming Migration, Development and Remittances
Susanne Melde and Dina Ionesco
Migration flows continue to grow and diversify and have yet only in the past years gained increased attention in development debates.
