Protection and promotion of the rights of migrating children

finished

Malian society has to cope with many problems that make daily life difficult for the population. The causes include climate change, conflicts, political instability and a fragile security situation as well as a weak economy.

Nine years after the outbreak of the first crisis in the country, it is estimated that around 3,4 million people are in need of protection. 61 per cent of the 346'864 internally displaced persons are children, who are at risk of rights violations. Regional factors reinforce this internal dynamic, which drives children into migration. The situation in Mali as a country of origin, transit and destination for refugees is marked by these different migration flows. While the Malian state has a legal framework for the promotion and protection of children’s rights, it has too few resources to apply the measures.

Due to the migration situation, not even the basic needs of the children (a place to live, food, access to water, schooling, health care etc.) are met in many cases. They are often exposed to great risks: to the worst forms of exploitation and working conditions, especially human trafficking, forced child labour in gold panning plants and forced recruitment as child soldiers for paramilitary units. Fleeing children are frequently at the mercy of smugglers, human traffickers and exploiters.

The project has three main elements:

1. The protective environment for migrating children in Mali is strengthened so that the risks of violations of children’s rights are recognised.
2. Migrating children are given support and protection in risk situations.
3. Relevant state and non-state actors are supported, through awareness-raising, information and advocacy work, in the development of political-legal protective measures.

The measures are implemented in parallel in Bamako, Mopti/Sévaré and the Gao region. These regions were chosen because they are important areas of transit and destination for migrating children. The project is implemented in two stages:

1. Implementation along the Bamako-Sévaré/Mopti route in cooperation with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).
2. Replication of the project in the Gao region in cooperation with the Actions Tartit pour le Développement Durable (ATDED) and the Association Malienne des Droits de l’Homme (AMDH).

Through systematic empowerment of the state and non-state actors responsible for child protection, the project contributes to a more rigorous application of the legal provisions. At the same time, the theme’s importance in the country is strengthened and governance is improved. The project also provides direct support to the children (e.g. psychosocial support, housing, food or legal advice) and refers them to specialist counselling services (e.g. in family reunifications).

The project raises awareness in the host communities of the children’s specific needs and strengthens the people who work directly with the children. Moreover, the project supports the coordination of the measures between the aid organisations.

Caritas Switzerland actively supports self-determined, dignified and safe migration. The rights of every person, in particular children, to protection, support and healthy and safe development form the basis of the project. The project goals are achieved through the active cooperation between Caritas Switzerland (responsible for programme management, funding, compliance), DRC (responsible for the protection and situation analysis of the children, strengthening of the local actors and development of synergies), AMDH (responsible for legal advice and advocacy work) and ATDED (responsible for evaluation/tracking of the gold panning sites, as well as awareness-raising.

All Caritas Switzerland’s projects in Mali are cooperative projects and take a participatory approach. Its aim is to strengthen the engagement of the community/civil society and to strengthen the state actors. With this approach, the long-term impact of the project is ensured.