18 December is International Migrants Day. To mark this day, we honour the contributions of migrants throughout the Eastern and Southern Africa region and make a call to action for their rights to be respected, protected and fulfilled. Globally, nearly 281 million people, out of which 35.5 million are children 1 , live outside their country of…, The numbers are stark., In Africa alone, according to UNICEF, as of 2020, there were 6.2 million international migrant children. From January to October 2024, IOM tracked 28,578 child migrants along the Eastern Route, of whom 36 per cent were girls. Of these children, over a quarter (26 per cent) were unaccompanied. While the movements of children along Northern and…, On dangerous migration routes, —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. Children are three times more likely than adults to experience violence, exploitation and abuse during their journeys. Many children are…, Prioritize child rights in migration policies , The international community must prioritize and act decisively to protect children on the move. At the heart of this is the fundamental principle enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, that children on the move are first and foremost children, with inherent rights to protection, inclusion, and participation in all decisions that…, Ending immigration detention for all children is paramount , Detaining children for immigration reasons is never in their best interests and is a child rights violation. Governments must establish child-sensitive identification and screening procedures and enact legal reforms to prohibit child immigration detention and invest in non-custodial, community-based alternatives that prioritise family unity,…, Enhance cross-border cooperation and documentation , Governments need to work together, across borders, to ensure migrant children are protected at every stage of their journey and have access to services without discrimination, including specialized and comprehensive child protection services. Implementation of commitments at the global level such as the Global Compact for Migration which sets…, Prioritize community-based solutions , Communities are vital in protecting migrant children and offering sustainable solutions and support systems. Engaging with and empowering communities to support children on the move is an investment in their present and future, and in upholding human rights. , A shared responsibility: From commitment to action , The challenges faced by children on the move demand a collective and urgent response not just across the region, but globally. By prioritizing child rights, strengthening child protection systems, ending immigration detention, and fostering cross-border cooperation, we can make a tangible difference for the safety, dignity, and well-being of every…, Frantz Celestin, IOM Regional Director, East, Horn and Southern Africa Region:, “Governments and Non- Governmental stakeholders have a duty to ensure that children on the move have access to timely, quality and comprehensive basic needs and specialized protection services tailored to address their specific needs, risks and vulnerabilities in countries of transit, destination and upon return home. Using the whole of government…, Yvonne Arunga, Save the Children Regional Director, East and Southern Africa Regional Office:, “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. Equally important is fostering sustainable integration and reintegration processes for children on the move whenever conditions permit in line with the best interests…, Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR Regional Director, East, Horn and Great Lakes Region:, “We all have a role to play – governments, UN agencies, NGOs - in creating 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. Through…, Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director, Eastern and Southern Africa:, “On the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we 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…
Eastern and Southern Africa