Provide protection for displaced children and young people and enable access to education and inclusion opportunities

Context

More than five million children and young people aged 24 or under in West and North-West Africa are estimated to be migrants. An increasing number of them are girls and young women.

A large percentage of the population movements involve children and young people. The underlying reasons are diverse: extreme poverty, a desire to access education, traditions, escaping violence, political instability and environmental problems – or simply the search for a better life.

Girls and boys are motivated to migrate by the same factors, but in the case of girls they are often compounded by gender inequality and discrimination caused by socio-cultural constraints in their communities of origin – constraints which often continue to exist along the migration route.

Objective

Countries in West and North Africa have the legislation and organisational capacities to ensure that displaced children and young people are protected and have access to education. This improves their opportunities and chances of being able to live their lives with dignity. 

Approach

The project strengthens national, transnational and regional systems to provide protection, education and socio-economic integration for children and young migrants. It supports the countries involved in their endeavours to provide appropriate integration services that are sustainable and do not rely on external resources. To this end it works in several areas:

Beneficiaries: The project protects children and young people on the move, enables them to access quality education and improves their chances and opportunities to live their lives in dignity.  

Organisations: It supports national systems and organisations in providing better protection, education and socio-economic integration for children and young people on the move.

Policy measures: It monitors national laws and strategies to ensure that they promote integration, are based on children's rights and take into account the needs of children and young people through individual care protocols.  

International: The project works with the Swiss Confederation to advocate for the rights of children and young people with governments, coordination and governance bodies and partner organisations.

Last update: February 2023